Robert Leslie Swart (1917 - 1945)

Born 27 Dec 1917 in Amity, Amwell Township, Washington, Pennsylvania, United States

Ancestors

Died 30 Jul 1945 at age 27 in Philippine Sea

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Biography

Lieutenant (jg) Robert Swart served in the United States Navy in World War II
Service started: 5 Feb 1942
Unit(s): USS Indianapolis (CA-35)
Service ended: 30 Jul 1945

Lieutenant (jg) Robert Swart was Killed in Action during World War II.

Robert Swart was awarded the Purple Heart.

Robert was born in 1917. His parents were Roy Sherman Swart 1890–1969 and Nell Baker Swart 1891–1953. He attended Tritiny High School in Washington, Pennsylvania where he was class president all 4 years, along with captain of the football and basketball teams. He attended Waynesburg College.

Robert entered the naval reserve on 5 Feb 1942, starting as Seaman 2nd Class, he was an ensign from June 1942 - June 43, eventually attaining the rank of Lieutenant (jg). Robert served on the USS Indianapolis. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Medal of Honor and Pacific Theatre Ribbon with seven battle stars.^[1][2][3]

In July 1945 the USS Indianapolis was sent on a secret mission to deliver the components of the Little Boy atomic bomb to Tinian Island without an escort, on the return trip, still without escort, it was attacked by a Japanese submarine. The USS Indianapolis sank in 12 minutes on 30 Jul 1945 with some 300 of the 1,195 crewmen aboard going down with the ship. With few lifeboats and many without life jackets, only 316 of the nearly 900 men set adrift survived the 4 days in shark infested water before rescue. Robert was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. The crew of the USS Indianapolis was later awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.^[4][5][6][7]

Robert is honored at three memorials: Amity Presbyterian Cemetery, Amity, Washington County, Pennsylvania, USS Indianapolis National Memorial, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana and Fort William Mckinley, Manila, Philippines.^[8][9][10]

Sources

1. ↑ U.S., World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949 https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/51821509:1143
2. ↑ U.S., World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949 https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/32073088:1143?ssrc=pt&tid=26806344&pid=402087545625
3. ↑ U.S., Select Military Registers, 1862-1985 https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/5527376:2345
4. ↑ U.S., Navy Casualties Books https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/68726:2324?tid=&pid=&queryId=1269d5ff45661a88aa30a0ed3aa504d0&_phsrc=EzO8427&_phstart=successSource
5. ↑ U.S., World War II Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Casualties https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/117221:1122?tid=&pid=&queryId=1269d5ff45661a88aa30a0ed3aa504d0&_phsrc=EzO8428&_phstart=successSource
6. ↑ U.S., Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Unaccounted-for Remains, Group B (Unrecoverable) https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/32079:62207?tid=&pid=&queryId=1269d5ff45661a88aa30a0ed3aa504d0&_phsrc=EzO8429&_phstart=successSource
7. ↑ U.S., World War II and Korean Conflict Veterans Interred Overseas https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/142016:4283?tid=&pid=&queryId=1269d5ff45661a88aa30a0ed3aa504d0&_phsrc=EzO8431&_phstart=successSource
8. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88792353/robert-leslie-swart: accessed 21 May 2023), memorial page for Robert Leslie Swart (27 Dec 1917–30 Jul 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 88792353, citing Amity Presbyterian Cemetery, Amity, Washington County, Pennsylvania, USA; Maintained by Charlotte Raley McConaha (contributor 47558988).
9. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/194093563/robert-leslie-swart: accessed 21 May 2023), memorial page for Robert Leslie Swart (27 Dec 1917–30 Jul 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 194093563, citing U.S.S. Indianapolis National Memorial, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA; Maintained by Laura J. Stewart (contributor 47412616).
10. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56769127/robert-leslie-swart: accessed 21 May 2023), memorial page for LTJG Robert Leslie Swart (27 Dec 1917–30 Jul 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 56769127, citing Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines; Maintained by IrishEyes (contributor 47644540).

• "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6BS-4W5 : 3 February 2021), Robert Swort in entry for Roy Swort, 1920
• "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHH1-GV8 : accessed 21 May 2023), Robert L Swart in household of Roy S Swart, Amwell, Washington, Pennsylvania
• "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KQN4-CZ7 : 28 July 2019), Robert L Swart in household of Roy S Swart, Amwell Township, Washington, Pennsylvania