Yesterday we celebrated the anniversary of the historic D-Day landings in Normandy, France 1944






Yesterday we celebrated the anniversary of the historic D-Day landings in Normandy, France 1944 and it got me thinking about two great generals who were great friends: Swing and Eisenhower.

The 11th Airborne's first commanding general Major General Joseph May Swing was indeed close friends with Overlord's Supreme Allied commander General Dwight Eisenhower. The two had been roommates at West Point as members of the famous Class of 1915, the Class the S

tars Fell Upon. Not only were they roommates, but Swing and Eisenhower played football together along with teammate Omar Bradley.

Both served in World War I and in the years following served under or got to know John J. Pershing and Douglas MacArthur. During these years Swing would serve (and fight) in Europe then go on to liberate the Philippines in World War II whereas Eisenhower would serve in the Philippines then go on to liberate Europe in the war.  

After the attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States entered the war, General Eisenhower was eventually sent to oversee the invasion of Sicily, Operation Husky. With limited experiences in airborne techniques, Eisenhower called for his friend Joe Swing to come advise him. Many of Swing's suggestions were overridden and Husky's airborne drops suffered heavy losses as a result.

When some in America's military questioned the future of airborne divisions (including Eisenhower), General Swing stepped in and defended the concept. After his famous "Swing Board" published their Training Circular 113 and his 11th Airborne Division troopers performed so well in the Knollwood Maneuvers of 1943, Swing's friend Ike changed his mind and even used many of the 11th Airborne's tactics during the invasion of France the following June (1944).

Ike would go on to serve as a military governor in Europe at the war's end and Swing would serve in similar roles during the Occupation of Japan. Both oversaw efforts to rebuild the involved countries and territories.

After the war, both Swing and Eisenhower would go on to serve in various ways until Ike ran for and won the office of the President of the United States in 1952. Two years later he asked his good friend Lieutenant General Joseph May Swing to serve as his Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization. The Senate confirmed Swing’s nomination and he began his eight-year tenure as Commissioner in 1954. 

Of General Swing, MAJ Henry Muller, Swing's G-2 in the 11th Airborne, wrote, "He was the motion picture version of the American general... The excellence of the 11th Airborne was a reflection of this capable, driving leader."

Of General Eisenhower, historian Stephen Ambrose wrote, "He was an inspiring and effective leader, indeed a model of leadership."
No wonder these two friends got along so well during their lives and especially during their decades of service to our country. 

Dwight Eisenhower died on March 28, 1969 of congestive heart failure at age 78. Joseph Swing died on December 9, 1984, at the age of 90.

AATW! Down From Heaven! -JCH

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