SWAAB'S Medals and decorations

Aerowallah · 15 November 2009, 04:50 PM

Thanks, Mike. Schauffler has also signed some of the affidavits as Major, Assistant Chief of Staff of the AS.

Gregvan · 15 November 2009, 07:19 PM

Hi Aerowallah,

Thanks so much for posting all of these great images, and the terrific stories. I queried Alan Toelle about the third image you posted in your post #10 (of the three fellows in front of a SPAD with a number '2' visible on the top wing) and he has some updated information; quote:

"Lts. Murray E. Tucker, John C. Crissey, and

Jacques Swaab(?) pose directly behind an A-Flight Spad XIII 4607 #2. The layout of the cocarde on the upper wing indicates that part is the product of Bleriot. But the camouflage on the tailplane and fuselage deck indicates it is the product of Kellner. The location is Souilly."

Just thought you might like to know.

Thanks again,

Greg

VtwinVince · 15 November 2009, 09:24 PM

John, as usual, an incredible grouping and fantastic presentation. I second your sentiments about Jewish combatants in the first war, as my grandfather used to tell me about the incredibly brave and highly decorated Jewish veterans of his regiment, the 5. Garde Regiment zu Fuss. Also nice to see the push given by Brooks, someone with whom I corresponded many years ago.

Aerowallah · 16 November 2009, 04:18 AM

Thanks for the additional info, Greg. Soon we'll have names on all the faces!

Cool grandfather, Vince. I think personal stories like that, passed down in the family, are better than a Garde du Korps helmet on the mantlepiece! Unless you also have one of those, lucky guy...

cameldriver · 1 December 2009, 01:59 PM

A truly wonderful collection and a great presentation. Thanks so much for sharing it. It's terrific that you've been able to keep this all together and gather so much additional information. The amount of time and money you have put into this shows that it is a labor of love.

Aerowallah · 1 December 2009, 02:11 PM

Why, thank you!

Someone commented on another forum on a rather obvious point I overlooked.

All the other aviation MOHs were posthumous, until Rickenbacker succeeded in his full-court lobby effort in the 1930s.

So Brooks probably knew when he was filling out the paperwork in 1919 that Swaab, having survived the war, would probably not survive the process. But a DSC ain't bad!