In Memory of U.S. Marine Corporal
Robert Swigert
Oelrichs, South Dakota
Fall River County
December 5, 1917 -November 20, 1943
Killed In Action at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands
Robert "Bob" Swigert was born on December 5, 1917, in Oelrichs, SD. His parents were Bird and Eva Swigert. Bob was the third of nine children. Bob's hometown was Oelrichs where he went through the eighth grade before he went to work at home on the family farm. Bob also worked for neighbors and on WPA projects around Oelrichs. He later went to Montana for awhile and tried his hand at working on a dairy farm and the copper mines. Bob's whole family was musical and for recreation he could often be found playing a guitar or banjo. He and his older brother, Chester "Chet” were really close. They were close in age and did a lot of things together growing up. Later on they played for dances and hunted coyotes together. Chet also served during WW II.
Robert Swigert received a draft notification, but before the enlistment day came, he volunteered for the Marine Corps. He went through basic training in San Diego with Platoon No. 222. He was with Company A 2nd Pioneer Division, an advanced engineer outfit, out of San Diego for a short time where he was in charge
of all of the company equipment. Bob went overseas assigned to Company D Second Battalion Eighteenth Marine Division with a unit of infantry. He attained the rank of corporal. A comment from one he served with said, "He was well liked by those who knew him and was rated highly by his company commander and staff
of officers, or he would never have attained the rank of corporal so soon after entering the Marine Corps." He spent some time in New Zealand as his ship would dock there in between landings. He fought at Guadalcanal and Tarawa.
In one letter home Bob talked about his plans for after the war. He said he might look at some irrigated farmland up in Montana or around Oelrichs, and he wanted to get married. But he never got the chance, and no one knows if he had a particular bride in mind. Robert Swigert was killed in action on November 20, 1943 while storming the Pacific beaches of Tarawa. His body was never recovered.
Gravesite markers are located at Black Hills National Cemetery and Oelrichs Hillside Cemetery. Today Robert Swigert is survived by his brother Leo Swigert and wife, sister-in-law, Clara Swigert, and sister Ila May Wood and husband as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The Forney-Swigert Legion Post #238 in Oelrichs, SD is named after him. Nieces and nephews were also named in honor of him. Robert Swigert gave his life fighting for the continued freedom of the United States.
This entry was respectfully submitted by David J. Rickenbach, Senior, Hot Springs High School, Hot Springs, South Dakota, April 2, 2002. Information for this entry was coordinated by Swigert's niece, Mrs. Connie Carson, Oelrichs, South Dakota.
