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Daniel L Arnes, CMDCM
to remember
McSwain, James David, AO2.
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Contact Info
Home Town Beaumont
Last Address Spring, TX
Date of Passing Aug 27, 2019
Wall/Plot Coordinates Cremated, ashes with family
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Last Known Activity:
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OBITUARY
James David McSwain
JULY 25, 1946 – AUGUST 27, 2019
James David McSwain was born on July 25th,1946, to a small farm family in Beaumont, Texas. James served in the Navy during the Vietnam war, where he specialized as a helicopter gunner in the volunteer HA(L)-3, nicknamed the "Seawolves,". This unit supported Naval Special Warfare operations, was the first fleet of its type in the Navy and is one of the most decorated naval squadrons in history. He is a decorated veteran, that was awarded multiple medals for his bravery, relentlessness, and commitment. He saved countless American lives during his time in the Navy. James had multiple careers once he returned home from the war. He was a natural-born leader and entrepreneur. He owned several businesses in his lifetime. His two most long-standing careers were his work as a mechanic, and his time as a truck driver, where he was able to drive the open road satisfied the rolling Stone heart that he was born with. He had quiet intimidation about him that served him well as he visited bars, riding his motorcycle, winning pool trophies, and falling in love. James was a hopeless romantic. He loved to dance, and he was good at it, and he knew it. He was married multiple times each time speckling the Earth with beautiful, strong-willed daughters. In the end, he spent most of his life with a Pacific islander woman who matched him in stubbornness but preceded him in death almost three years before, to the day. For as strong, resourceful, and stubborn as he was, he was gracious and loved unconditionally. He gave all his resources and time to anyone he considered family. James's life was wild and hard, but he lived it on his terms and passionately. On August 26th at 9 a.m., he succumbed to the illnesses that were brought on by his exposure to the toxic chemical agent orange during his time at war. He passed away peacefully in his sleep, at home with loved ones by his side. He leaves behind four blood relative daughters, Angela, Reagan, Lyssa and Stevie, many grandchildren, and many step-children whom he raised as his own.
Vietnam War/Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969 Campaign
From Month/Year
June / 1969
To Month/Year
October / 1969
Description This Campaign period was from 9 June to 31 October 1969. In the Mekong Delta proper, Swift boat, PBR, riverine assault craft, SEAL, and Vietnamese ground units struck at the Viet Cong in their former strongholds, which included the Ca Mau Peninsula, the U Minh Forest, and the islands of the broad Mekong River system.
After raiding and harassing operations like Silver Mace II, the combined navies often deployed forces to secure a more permanent Vietnamese government presence in vital areas. In June 1969, for example, the U.S. Navy anchored a mobile pontoon base in the middle of the Ca Mau region's Cua Lon River. This operation, labelled Sea Float, was made difficult by heavy Viet Cong opposition, strong river currents, and the distance to logistic support facilities. Still, Sea Float denied the enemy a safe haven even in this isolated corner of the delta. The allies further threatened the Communist "rear" area in September when they set up patrols on the Ong Doc, a river bordering the dense and isolated U Minh area. Staging from an advance tactical support base at the river's mouth, U.S. and Vietnamese PBRs of Operation Breezy Cove repeatedly intercepted and destroyed enemy supply parties crossing the waterway.
By October 1969, one year after the start of the SEALORDS campaign, Communist military forces in the Mekong Delta were under heavy pressure. The successive border interdiction barriers delayed and disrupted the enemy's resupply and troop replacement from Cambodia. The raiding operations hit vulnerable base areas and the Sea Float deployment put allied forces deep into what had been a Viet Cong sanctuary. In addition, American and Vietnamese forces captured or destroyed over 500 tons of enemy weapons, ammunition, food, medicines, and other supplies. Furthermore, 3,000 Communist soldiers were killed and 300 were captured at a cost of 186 allied men killed and 1,451 wounded.
