James Elms Swett was a United States Marine Corps fighter pilot and flying ace during World War II. He was awarded the United States' highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for actions while a division flight leader in VMF-221 over Guadalcanal on April 7, 1943. He downed a total of 15.5 enemy aircraft during the war, earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses and five Air Medals.
Swett in March 1949
Lieutenant James E. Swett and other members of VMF-221
F4F Wildcats in Henderson Field at Guadalcanal
USMC F4U-1s in-flight
Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221) was a reserve fighter squadron of the United States Marine Corps. Originally commissioned during the World War II, it flew the Brewster F2A-3, and after reconstitution in 1943, the F4U Corsair. The squadron, also known as the "Fighting Falcons", is most notable for its actions on 4 June 1942, during the Battle of Midway, which resulted in 23 members of the squadron, many posthumously, being awarded the Navy Cross for their actions in combat. VMF-221 ended World War II with 185 air-to-air victories, the second most of any Marine Fighting Squadron in the war.
A VMF-221 F2A-3 in flight over NAS North Island, October 1941.
Survivors of the Battle of Midway at Ewa Mooring Mast Field, Oahu on 22 June 1942. From left to right: Capt Marion E. Carl, Capt Kirk Armistead, Maj Raymond Scollin (of Marine Air Group 22), Capt Herbert T. Merrill, 2nd Lt Charles M. Kunz, 2nd Lt Charles S. Hughes, 2nd Lt Hyde Phillips, Capt Philip R. White, and 2nd Lt Roy A. Corry, Jr.
1st Lt. James E. Swett, with other members of his VMF-221 squadron, describing his Medal of Honor actions.
