Francis Aubrey Swartz

Major Francis Aubrey Swartz (Ret), b. Dec 26 1924 in Clifton Forge, VA, d. Dec 28 1996 in San Antonio, TX. American Fighter Pilot. Spelling Bee Winner. Laurel H.S. Class of 1942, Studied at the University of Maryland from 1946-48. B.B.A. University of Oklahoma, 1959. Study abroad in 1959-60 at Chateauroux, France.

He may have served on a peacetime tour of France (Orly Field) in the late 1950s. Family states he served as an Enlisted U.S. Marine Aviator from 1943-46. Served in China in WW2. He then entered the USAF on May 5 1949, served two tours Korean Conflict, and was discharged on Dec 31 1965. Commisioned in May 1950 as a 2nd Lt in the USAF. Son states he piloted black-painted B 26s on night interdiction missions over North Korea.

He bombed commie rail lines, convoys and dropped spies, guerillas, and assorted supplies to guerilla groups above the DMZ. He transitioned to the F 86 Sabre and flew 30-35 ground attack missions.

Awards include: 3 Air Medals with Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, United Nations Korea Medal, Korea Conflict with 3 major Battle Stars, Two sets of Wings: Senior Air Force Pilot Wings, USMC Aerial Navigator Wings. Twenty years total service: 3 1/2 USMC, 16 1/2 USAF. 3,300 flying hours.

4 Wives: 1st wife Joyce Mackinnon- m. June 1953 in FL, 2nd wife Francaise Chasseray, 3rd wife Elaine Kernan, 4th wife Mary Elizabeth Krock. They married on Jul 17 1982. At least three children with roots in Maine. He spent his retirement in San Antonio at the Spanish Trace Apartments on Blanco Rd. ; He lived close to his sister Margaret Jane Swartz (1914-1997) during their retirement in San Antonio. He lived in the Dallas area during the 1970's.

Brian Paul Kaess talked with Francis Aubrey Swartz in 1977 and 1985. In 1977, Francis A. Swartz took Brian Paul Kaess and Garret Thomas Kaess on a tour of a Dallas Airfield, showing his Grand Nephews all the planes he loved. Francis was rumored to have been a POW in the Korea Conflict, but this story is discounted by his son Brian Francis Swartz. Garret Thomas Kaess believes Francis may have been a POW based on a newspaper article he remembers seeing.

Contributed by Brian Paul Kaess.