Captain Gordon Swango, USMC
~~ Older brother of Cpl Robert Dean Swango, USMC.
~~ 1940: St Thomas, Cuba.
~~ 1941: Quantico.
~~ With LtCol Bryce's MAG-11, New Caladonia, October 1942.
~~ Then at Turtle Bay, Espirito Santos. Official title was
"Motor Transport Officer MAG-11".
Grade Three Warrant Officer (Marine Gunner). In charge of
unloading ships. After ships were unloaded, was liason officer
between Marines and Seabees who built airstrip & road network.
When strip was completed, Marines had 2 or 3 squadrons of Corsairs
which rotated back & forth to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal.
~~ Contracted malaria.
~~ In early 1943, transferred to 1st Marine Air Wing as Motor Transport Officer, headquartered at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal.
~~ Left Corps with rank of Captain.
~~ Best buddy was Master Sergeant Don Thornbury who flew SBDs in Major Bob Richard's squadron (VMB-543?), and went on to fly fighters.
Please contact BJ Omanson if you have any further information on
this Marine.
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