Toop
Frank  A.  Swartz  
Photo
Ribbons
 
  Rank, Service
Lieutenant Colonel O-5,  U.S. Air Force
  Veteran of:
U.S. Air Force Reserve 1965-1966
U.S. Air Force 1966-1986
Cold War 1965-1986
Vietnam War 1967-1968
  Tribute:

Frank Swartz was born on May 9, 1941, in Delaware, Ohio. He was commissioned a 2d Lt in the U.S. Air Force through the Air Force ROTC program at Ohio State University in June 1965, and went on active duty beginning January 27, 1966. Lt Swartz next completed Undergraduate Pilot Training and was awarded his pilot wings at Webb AFB, Texas, in February 1967, followed by F-100 Super Sabre Combat Crew Training from February to November 1967. His first assignment was as an F-100 pilot with the 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam, from November 1967 to November 1968, during which time he served as an F-100F pilot with the Misty FAST FACs on Temporary Duty from April to August 1968. His next assignment was as an F-100 pilot with the 492nd Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, England, from January 1968 to January 1972, followed by an Air Force Institute of Technology assignment to complete his master's degree in electrical engineering at Arizona State University from January 1972 to May 1973. Capt Swartz served as a service engineer on the F-4 Phantom II Radar System with the Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill AFB, Utah, from May 1973 to September 1974, and then as an Integrated Logistic Support Officer with the Air Force Acquisition Logistics Division at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, from September 1974 to March 1978. Maj Swartz next served as an F-4 pilot with the 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Kunsan AB, South Korea, from March to November 1978, followed by service as an F-4 pilot and Operations Officer with the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Taegu AB, South Korea, from November 1978 to March 1979. His next assignment was as an F-4 replacement training instructor pilot with the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing at Homestead AFB, Florida, from March 1979 to August 1983. During this time, he helped set up the 31st Tactical Training Squadron and then served as Operations Officer for the 308th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron. LtCol Swartz's final assignment was as the Director of Test Operations for the IFFN (Identification Friend, Foe, or Neutral) Joint Test at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, from August 1983 until his retirement from the Air Force on August 1, 1986. Frank Swartz was Misty 48.

His Silver Star Citation reads:

First Lieutenant Frank A. Swartz distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 26 July 1968. On that date, while flying an F-100F aircraft as a Forward Air Controller and directing the rescue of a pilot shot down in unfriendly territory, Lieutenant Swartz came under fire from hostile air defense forces. He exposed himself numerous times to the hostile air defenses while marking their positions and directing their destruction by friendly fighter aircraft, which resulted in the successful rescue of the downed pilot. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Swartz has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  




 


 

 
Contact Veteran Tributes at info@veterantributes.org


 

 
Contact Veteran Tributes at info@veterantributes.org