FULL NAME:

John J. Swedick

ARMY SERIAL NUMBER (ASN):

42112443

  • DATE OF BIRTH: Feb 23, 1914
  • DATE OF DEATH: Dec 17, 1944
RESIDENCE (DURING WWII):

Watervliet, Albany County, New York

DATE / PLACE OF ENLISTMENT:
  • DATE OF ENLISTMENT:
    March 30, 1944
  • PLACE OF ENLISTMENT:
    Camp Wheeler, Macon, Georgia
ORGANIZATION:
  • MAIN UNIT:
    23rd Infantry Regiment
  • SUBUNIT:
    Company K, 3rd Battalion
RANK / POSITION IN UNIT (LAST KNOWN):
  • RANK:
    Private (Pvt.)
  • POSITION IN UNIT:
    Rifleman
BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS:

✭ Ardennes-Alsace Campaign (16 December 1944 – 25 January 1945), ✭ Rhineland Campaign (15 September 1944 – 21 March 1945)

DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS (AWARDS):

🎖Silver Star Medal, 🎖Bronze Star Medal, 🎖Purple Heart, 🎖WWII Victory Medal, 🎖Honorable Service Lapel Button

STATUS:
  • CATEGORY:
    Killed in action (KIA)
  • DATE:
    Dec 17, 1944
  • LOCATION:
    Krinkelter Wald, Belgium
  • NOTES:
    Article "They Chose to Die So Buddies Could Live" was officially published in Stars and Stripes, Liege Edition on January 23, 1945: "Men of this division today told how an entire squad of doughboys chose to die in order to allow their buddies to escape from a death trap during the recent German counter offensive, the Battle of the Bulge. Obeying the order to hold their position at all costs, the Second Platoon of Co. K., 23rd Inf. Regt., repelled repeated attackers until surrounded on three sides. When Tiger tanks appeared and began firing point blank into the foxhole, the platoon was ordered to withdraw. The Second Squad called back, “Get everybody else out first. We’ll cover them.” As the rest withdrew they saw the attackers concentrating their fury on the tiny point of resistance. German tanks crashed through the scrub pine growth to fire into the foxholes. Emptying their weapons at the waves of Germans, the men climbed from their holes swinging their rifle butts. That was the last their buddies saw of them."
HONORED BY:

Matthew Swedick, Grandson

NARA - Display Full Records

File Unit: Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Enlistment Records)
in the Series: World War II Army Enlistment Records, created 6/1/2002 - 9/30/2002, documenting the period ca. 1938 - 1946. - Record Group 64 (info)

Brief Scope: This series contains records of approximately nine million men and women who enlisted in the United States Army, including the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps.

Source: aad.archives.gov/aad/
SOLDIER RECORD:
Full Name
Army Serial Number
Enlistment Place
Enlistment Date
Army Branch
Branch
Race or Ethnicity
Residence
Enlistment Term
Army Component
Level of Education
Occupation
Marital Status
Birth Date
Source Box Number
Source Film Reel Number
Conflict Period
Served for

ARTICLES

“They Chose to Die So Buddies Could Live”

A few months ago we got in touch with Mr. Matthew Swedick who willingly shared with us the story of his Grandfather, Pvt. John J. Swedick, a member of Company K, 23rd Infantry Regiment. This is one of the most emotionally powerful stories of courage and sacrifice we have ever had the honor of knowing. Article “They Chose to Die So Buddies Could Live” was officially published in Stars and Stripes, Liege Edition on January 23, 1945: “Men of this division today told how an entire squad of doughboys chose to die in order to allow their buddies to escape from a death trap during the recent German counter offensive, the Battle of the Bulge. Obeying the order to hold their position at all costs, the Second Platoon of Co. K., 23rd Inf. Regt., repelled repeated attackers until surrounded on three sides. When Tiger tanks appeared and began firing point blank into the foxhole, the platoon was ordered to withdraw….