1938-1939 A "star" basketball player for Emerson High School, Gary, Indiana. He was one "of the most feared players in the conference". He also ran the 440 in track. Board of Control president. Source: The 1939 Emersonian Yearbook
Jay William Swan (20, 27 March 1921 Gary, Indiana), a resident of 545 Kentucky St., Gary, Indiana, signed up for his World War II Draft Registration Card (Serial No. 1761, Order No. 10780) on 16 February 1942 in Gary, Lake County, Indiana. He was employed by CIS Company. Jay listed his mother, Mrs. George A. Swan, as the person who would always know his address. He was described as 6' 1" in height, 175 lbs., with a light complexion, blue eyes and blonde hair.
Jay W. Swan (1921 Indiana), a resident of Lake County, Indiana, enlisted as a Private (S/N 35561720) in the U.S. Army on 08 October 1942 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was single, had completed one year of college and had been working as a checker. He went on to flight school.
March 1944 "Winning their wings as pilots in the army air force of Uncle Sam, these local boys graduated recently from Randolph Field, Texas, central flying training command...From the Calumet region, all with commissions as second lieutenants, were...Jay W. Swan, 545 Kentucky street, Gary..." Source: The Times (Munster, Indiana), Thursday, 30 March 1944, page 5.
He was assigned to the 531st Bomber Squadron of the 380th Bomb Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces and sent to Australia. 2nd Lt. Jay W. Swan was a pilot assigned to "Connaughton's Crew (95)"on 20 December 1944. They flew B-24J Liberators on bombing missions out of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia and covered the whole of the Dutch East Indies. They flew their first combat mission together as a crew (DAR VII-10) on 02 February 1945, a strike against Malimpoeng Airfield, Celebes, Dutch East Indies aboard B-24J-50-CO (S/N 42-73489) "HOT ROCKS". It was the 60th mission for the plane.
In February 1945, the 531st Bomber Squadron moved to Murtha Field (APO 321), San Jose, Occidental Mindoro Province, in the Philippines. Murtha Field was about 5 miles directly north of Mangarin Bay, on the west bank of Tabangan River. From there, Connaughton's Crew participated in strikes on Legaspi Port, Luzon; Okayama Airdrome, Formosa, Jitsuget Sutan Power Plant, Formosa, and Shinchiku Airdrome, Formosa "hammering Japanese ships, troops, and installations all over that area".
On June 18, 1945, 2nd Lt. Jay W. Swan was the co-pilot aboard B-24J Liberator J-135-CO, (S/N 42-110115), with nose art, "Drunkard's Dream". At 0506 hours the plane took off from Murtha Field on a mission (No. 169-E2) to hit the Balikpapan fortifications on Borneo, Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). It "was seen to be airborne, then settled and crashed, exploding on impact about one-half mile from the northern end of the strip. The entire crew of eleven men were killed instantly." It was the aircraft's 74th mission in the Pacific Theatre.
Connaughton's Crew (95):
2nd Lt. Joseph B. Connaughton, Jr. – Aircraft Commander
2nd Lt. Jay W. Swan – Co-pilot
2nd Lt. Edward I. Plotkin – Navigator
2nd Lt. Henry L. Ostapowski – Bombardier
T/Sgt Smith M. Abbott – Flight Engineer
T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig – Radio Operator
S/Sgt. George P. Adams – Martin Upper Gunner
S/Sgt. Lonnie L. Albert – Armorer Gunner
S/Sgt. Henry F. Bain, Jr. – Tail Gunner
S/Sgt. Joseph C. Barb – Nose Gunner
S/Sgt. Harry D. Rollings – Photographer
They were first buried in USAF Cemetery #1, in San Jose, Mindoro, P. I. After the war their remains were brought to 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Philippine Islands. The deceased in Manila #2 (over 11,000 American soldiers) rested there until their removal to the American Graves Registration Service Manila Mausoleum in the summer of 1948. From there, according to the wishes of his next of kin, Second Lieutenant Jay William Swan's remains were brought back to the U.S. and he was buried in his final resting place in the Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville, Lake County, Indiana.
Jay William Swan (20, 27 March 1921 Gary, Indiana), a resident of 545 Kentucky St., Gary, Indiana, signed up for his World War II Draft Registration Card (Serial No. 1761, Order No. 10780) on 16 February 1942 in Gary, Lake County, Indiana. He was employed by CIS Company. Jay listed his mother, Mrs. George A. Swan, as the person who would always know his address. He was described as 6' 1" in height, 175 lbs., with a light complexion, blue eyes and blonde hair.
Jay W. Swan (1921 Indiana), a resident of Lake County, Indiana, enlisted as a Private (S/N 35561720) in the U.S. Army on 08 October 1942 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was single, had completed one year of college and had been working as a checker. He went on to flight school.
March 1944 "Winning their wings as pilots in the army air force of Uncle Sam, these local boys graduated recently from Randolph Field, Texas, central flying training command...From the Calumet region, all with commissions as second lieutenants, were...Jay W. Swan, 545 Kentucky street, Gary..." Source: The Times (Munster, Indiana), Thursday, 30 March 1944, page 5.
He was assigned to the 531st Bomber Squadron of the 380th Bomb Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces and sent to Australia. 2nd Lt. Jay W. Swan was a pilot assigned to "Connaughton's Crew (95)"on 20 December 1944. They flew B-24J Liberators on bombing missions out of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia and covered the whole of the Dutch East Indies. They flew their first combat mission together as a crew (DAR VII-10) on 02 February 1945, a strike against Malimpoeng Airfield, Celebes, Dutch East Indies aboard B-24J-50-CO (S/N 42-73489) "HOT ROCKS". It was the 60th mission for the plane.
In February 1945, the 531st Bomber Squadron moved to Murtha Field (APO 321), San Jose, Occidental Mindoro Province, in the Philippines. Murtha Field was about 5 miles directly north of Mangarin Bay, on the west bank of Tabangan River. From there, Connaughton's Crew participated in strikes on Legaspi Port, Luzon; Okayama Airdrome, Formosa, Jitsuget Sutan Power Plant, Formosa, and Shinchiku Airdrome, Formosa "hammering Japanese ships, troops, and installations all over that area".
On June 18, 1945, 2nd Lt. Jay W. Swan was the co-pilot aboard B-24J Liberator J-135-CO, (S/N 42-110115), with nose art, "Drunkard's Dream". At 0506 hours the plane took off from Murtha Field on a mission (No. 169-E2) to hit the Balikpapan fortifications on Borneo, Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). It "was seen to be airborne, then settled and crashed, exploding on impact about one-half mile from the northern end of the strip. The entire crew of eleven men were killed instantly." It was the aircraft's 74th mission in the Pacific Theatre.
Connaughton's Crew (95):
2nd Lt. Joseph B. Connaughton, Jr. – Aircraft Commander
2nd Lt. Jay W. Swan – Co-pilot
2nd Lt. Edward I. Plotkin – Navigator
2nd Lt. Henry L. Ostapowski – Bombardier
T/Sgt Smith M. Abbott – Flight Engineer
T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig – Radio Operator
S/Sgt. George P. Adams – Martin Upper Gunner
S/Sgt. Lonnie L. Albert – Armorer Gunner
S/Sgt. Henry F. Bain, Jr. – Tail Gunner
S/Sgt. Joseph C. Barb – Nose Gunner
S/Sgt. Harry D. Rollings – Photographer
They were first buried in USAF Cemetery #1, in San Jose, Mindoro, P. I. After the war their remains were brought to 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Philippine Islands. The deceased in Manila #2 (over 11,000 American soldiers) rested there until their removal to the American Graves Registration Service Manila Mausoleum in the summer of 1948. From there, according to the wishes of his next of kin, Second Lieutenant Jay William Swan's remains were brought back to the U.S. and he was buried in his final resting place in the Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville, Lake County, Indiana.
1938-1939 A "star" basketball player for Emerson High School, Gary, Indiana. He was one "of the most feared players in the conference". He also ran the 440 in track. Board of Control president. Source: The 1939 Emersonian Yearbook
Jay William Swan (20, 27 March 1921 Gary, Indiana), a resident of 545 Kentucky St., Gary, Indiana, signed up for his World War II Draft Registration Card (Serial No. 1761, Order No. 10780) on 16 February 1942 in Gary, Lake County, Indiana. He was employed by CIS Company. Jay listed his mother, Mrs. George A. Swan, as the person who would always know his address. He was described as 6' 1" in height, 175 lbs., with a light complexion, blue eyes and blonde hair.
Jay W. Swan (1921 Indiana), a resident of Lake County, Indiana, enlisted as a Private (S/N 35561720) in the U.S. Army on 08 October 1942 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was single, had completed one year of college and had been working as a checker. He went on to flight school.
March 1944 "Winning their wings as pilots in the army air force of Uncle Sam, these local boys graduated recently from Randolph Field, Texas, central flying training command...From the Calumet region, all with commissions as second lieutenants, were...Jay W. Swan, 545 Kentucky street, Gary..." Source: The Times (Munster, Indiana), Thursday, 30 March 1944, page 5.
He was assigned to the 531st Bomber Squadron of the 380th Bomb Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces and sent to Australia. 2nd Lt. Jay W. Swan was a pilot assigned to "Connaughton's Crew (95)"on 20 December 1944. They flew B-24J Liberators on bombing missions out of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia and covered the whole of the Dutch East Indies. They flew their first combat mission together as a crew (DAR VII-10) on 02 February 1945, a strike against Malimpoeng Airfield, Celebes, Dutch East Indies aboard B-24J-50-CO (S/N 42-73489) "HOT ROCKS". It was the 60th mission for the plane.
In February 1945, the 531st Bomber Squadron moved to Murtha Field (APO 321), San Jose, Occidental Mindoro Province, in the Philippines. Murtha Field was about 5 miles directly north of Mangarin Bay, on the west bank of Tabangan River. From there, Connaughton's Crew participated in strikes on Legaspi Port, Luzon; Okayama Airdrome, Formosa, Jitsuget Sutan Power Plant, Formosa, and Shinchiku Airdrome, Formosa "hammering Japanese ships, troops, and installations all over that area".
On June 18, 1945, 2nd Lt. Jay W. Swan was the co-pilot aboard B-24J Liberator J-135-CO, (S/N 42-110115), with nose art, "Drunkard's Dream". At 0506 hours the plane took off from Murtha Field on a mission (No. 169-E2) to hit the Balikpapan fortifications on Borneo, Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). It "was seen to be airborne, then settled and crashed, exploding on impact about one-half mile from the northern end of the strip. The entire crew of eleven men were killed instantly." It was the aircraft's 74th mission in the Pacific Theatre.
Connaughton's Crew (95):
2nd Lt. Joseph B. Connaughton, Jr. – Aircraft Commander
2nd Lt. Jay W. Swan – Co-pilot
2nd Lt. Edward I. Plotkin – Navigator
2nd Lt. Henry L. Ostapowski – Bombardier
T/Sgt Smith M. Abbott – Flight Engineer
T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig – Radio Operator
S/Sgt. George P. Adams – Martin Upper Gunner
S/Sgt. Lonnie L. Albert – Armorer Gunner
S/Sgt. Henry F. Bain, Jr. – Tail Gunner
S/Sgt. Joseph C. Barb – Nose Gunner
S/Sgt. Harry D. Rollings – Photographer
They were first buried in USAF Cemetery #1, in San Jose, Mindoro, P. I. After the war their remains were brought to 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Philippine Islands. The deceased in Manila #2 (over 11,000 American soldiers) rested there until their removal to the American Graves Registration Service Manila Mausoleum in the summer of 1948. From there, according to the wishes of his next of kin, Second Lieutenant Jay William Swan's remains were brought back to the U.S. and he was buried in his final resting place in the Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville, Lake County, Indiana.
Jay William Swan (20, 27 March 1921 Gary, Indiana), a resident of 545 Kentucky St., Gary, Indiana, signed up for his World War II Draft Registration Card (Serial No. 1761, Order No. 10780) on 16 February 1942 in Gary, Lake County, Indiana. He was employed by CIS Company. Jay listed his mother, Mrs. George A. Swan, as the person who would always know his address. He was described as 6' 1" in height, 175 lbs., with a light complexion, blue eyes and blonde hair.
Jay W. Swan (1921 Indiana), a resident of Lake County, Indiana, enlisted as a Private (S/N 35561720) in the U.S. Army on 08 October 1942 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was single, had completed one year of college and had been working as a checker. He went on to flight school.
March 1944 "Winning their wings as pilots in the army air force of Uncle Sam, these local boys graduated recently from Randolph Field, Texas, central flying training command...From the Calumet region, all with commissions as second lieutenants, were...Jay W. Swan, 545 Kentucky street, Gary..." Source: The Times (Munster, Indiana), Thursday, 30 March 1944, page 5.
He was assigned to the 531st Bomber Squadron of the 380th Bomb Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces and sent to Australia. 2nd Lt. Jay W. Swan was a pilot assigned to "Connaughton's Crew (95)"on 20 December 1944. They flew B-24J Liberators on bombing missions out of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia and covered the whole of the Dutch East Indies. They flew their first combat mission together as a crew (DAR VII-10) on 02 February 1945, a strike against Malimpoeng Airfield, Celebes, Dutch East Indies aboard B-24J-50-CO (S/N 42-73489) "HOT ROCKS". It was the 60th mission for the plane.
In February 1945, the 531st Bomber Squadron moved to Murtha Field (APO 321), San Jose, Occidental Mindoro Province, in the Philippines. Murtha Field was about 5 miles directly north of Mangarin Bay, on the west bank of Tabangan River. From there, Connaughton's Crew participated in strikes on Legaspi Port, Luzon; Okayama Airdrome, Formosa, Jitsuget Sutan Power Plant, Formosa, and Shinchiku Airdrome, Formosa "hammering Japanese ships, troops, and installations all over that area".
On June 18, 1945, 2nd Lt. Jay W. Swan was the co-pilot aboard B-24J Liberator J-135-CO, (S/N 42-110115), with nose art, "Drunkard's Dream". At 0506 hours the plane took off from Murtha Field on a mission (No. 169-E2) to hit the Balikpapan fortifications on Borneo, Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). It "was seen to be airborne, then settled and crashed, exploding on impact about one-half mile from the northern end of the strip. The entire crew of eleven men were killed instantly." It was the aircraft's 74th mission in the Pacific Theatre.
Connaughton's Crew (95):
2nd Lt. Joseph B. Connaughton, Jr. – Aircraft Commander
2nd Lt. Jay W. Swan – Co-pilot
2nd Lt. Edward I. Plotkin – Navigator
2nd Lt. Henry L. Ostapowski – Bombardier
T/Sgt Smith M. Abbott – Flight Engineer
T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig – Radio Operator
S/Sgt. George P. Adams – Martin Upper Gunner
S/Sgt. Lonnie L. Albert – Armorer Gunner
S/Sgt. Henry F. Bain, Jr. – Tail Gunner
S/Sgt. Joseph C. Barb – Nose Gunner
S/Sgt. Harry D. Rollings – Photographer
They were first buried in USAF Cemetery #1, in San Jose, Mindoro, P. I. After the war their remains were brought to 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Philippine Islands. The deceased in Manila #2 (over 11,000 American soldiers) rested there until their removal to the American Graves Registration Service Manila Mausoleum in the summer of 1948. From there, according to the wishes of his next of kin, Second Lieutenant Jay William Swan's remains were brought back to the U.S. and he was buried in his final resting place in the Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville, Lake County, Indiana.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
