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Jack Swigert

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John Leonard Swigert Jr. (August 30, 1931 – December 27, 1982) was an American NASA astronaut, test pilot, mechanical engineer, aerospace engineer, United States Air Force pilot, and politician. In April 1970, as command module pilot of Apollo 13, he became one of 24 astronauts who flew to the Moon.[1][2] Ironically, due to the "slingshot" route around the Moon they chose to safely return to Earth, the Apollo 13 astronauts flew farther away from Earth than any other astronauts before or since, though they had to abort the Moon landing.

Jack Swigert
Swigert in 1971
Member-elect of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from Colorado's 6th district
Died before taking office
Preceded byConstituency established
Succeeded byDaniel Schaefer (as member)
Personal details
Born
John Leonard Swigert Jr.

(1931-08-30)August 30, 1931
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
DiedDecember 27, 1982(1982-12-27) (aged 51)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting placeMount Olivet Cemetery
Political partyRepublican
EducationUniversity of Colorado, Boulder (BS)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (MS)
University of Hartford (MBA)
AwardsPresidential Medal of Freedom
NASA Distinguished Service Medal
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Air Force
Years of service1953–1956 (active)
1956–1965 (reserve)
RankCaptain
UnitMassachusetts Air National Guard (1957–1960)
Connecticut Air National Guard (1960–1965)
Space career
NASA astronaut
Time in space
5d 22h 54m
SelectionNASA Group 5 (1966)
MissionsApollo 13
Mission insignia
RetirementAugust 1977

Before joining NASA in 1966, Swigert was a civilian test pilot and fighter pilot in the Air National Guard. After leaving NASA, he ran for Senate but lost in a primary election against Bill Armstrong. Later he ran for Congress, but while running was diagnosed with cancer. He won the election for Colorado's new 6th district in 1982, but died before being sworn in.

Early life

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John Leonard Swigert Jr. was born on August 30, 1931, in Denver, Colorado to parents Dr. John Leonard Swigert Sr. (1901–1974) and Virginia Seep Swigert (1906–1994). Swigert's father was an ophthalmologist.[1][2] At the age of 14, he became fascinated by aviation. While he would have been content just watching planes take off from nearby Combs Field, young Jack became determined to do more than be a spectator. He took on a newspaper route to earn money for flying lessons, and by age 16 he was a licensed private pilot.[3] He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and attained the rank of Second Class Scout.[4][5] He attended Blessed Sacrament School, Regis Jesuit High School and East High School, from which he graduated in 1949.[6]

Swigert received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from University of Colorado in 1953, where he also played football for the Buffaloes.[1][2] He later earned a Master of Science degree in aerospace engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Hartford campus) in 1965,[7] and a Master of Business Administration degree from University of Hartford in 1967.[8]

His recreational interests included golf, handball, bowling, skiing, swimming, and basketball. His hobbies included photography.[6]

Flight experience

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Swigert (right) with the "mailbox" rig improvised to adapt the Apollo 13 command module Odyssey's square carbon dioxide scrubber cartridges to fit the lunar module Aquarius, which took a round cartridge

Following his graduation from Colorado in 1953, Swigert joined the United States Air Force (USAF). Upon graduation from the Pilot Training Program and Gunnery School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, he was assigned as a fighter pilot in Japan and South Korea. In 1953, he survived his plane crashing into a radar unit on a Korean airstrip.[3][2]

After completing his tour of active duty in the USAF, he served as a jet fighter pilot with the Massachusetts (1957–1960) and Connecticut Air National Guard (1960–1965).[9] Swigert held a position as engineering test pilot for North American Aviation before joining NASA. He was previously an engineering test pilot for Pratt & Whitney, from February 1957 to June 1964.[10]

He logged over 7,200 hours in flight, including more than 5,725 hours in jet aircraft.[6]

NASA career

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After unsuccessfully applying for NASA's second and third astronaut selections,[11] Swigert was accepted into the NASA Astronaut Corps as part of NASA Astronaut Group 5 in April 1966.[12] Swigert became a specialist on the Apollo command module: he was one of the few astronauts who requested to be command module pilots.[11]

Swigert was a member of Apollo 7's astronaut support crew, the first support crew for an Apollo mission; he served as Capsule communicator (CAPCOM) during the ascent phase of the flight.[13]

Apollo 13

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Main article: Apollo 13

Swigert was one of three astronauts aboard the Apollo 13 Moon mission launched April 11, 1970. Originally part of the backup crew for the mission, he was assigned to the mission three days before launch, replacing astronaut Ken Mattingly. The prime crew had been exposed to German Measles (the rubella virus) from Charles Duke and, because Mattingly had no immunity to the disease, NASA did not want to risk him falling ill during critical phases of the flight.[14]

Apollo 13 was the third crewed lunar-landing attempt, but was aborted after the rupture of an oxygen tank in the spacecraft's service module. Swigert was the astronaut who first announced, "Houston, we've had a problem here".[15] The statement was then repeated by commander of the flight Jim Lovell. Swigert, along with fellow astronauts Lovell and Fred Haise, traveled around the Moon and returned safely to Earth on April 17 after about 5 days and 23 hours, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom the next day.[16]

Apollo–Soyuz Test Project

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NASA Director of Flight Crew Operations Deke Slayton, who selected the astronauts, recommended Swigert as command module pilot for the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project, the first joint mission with the Soviet Union. Slayton felt Swigert deserved another chance to fly after having been selected for Apollo 13 two days before launch, and performing well.[17]

During 1972, the Apollo 15 postal covers incident caused NASA investigators to inquire into other astronauts.[3] A number of Apollo astronauts, including Swigert, had made agreements with West German stamp dealer Hermann Sieger, who originated the idea for the Apollo 15 covers, to autograph philatelic items in exchange for a payment of about $2,500. Swigert originally denied involvement when interviewed by NASA investigators.[18] According to Christopher C. Kraft, the investigators subpoenaed his bank records, finding more funds than expected, and records of a predated charitable donation.[19] Swigert's subsequent admission caused NASA Deputy Administrator George M. Low to remove him from Apollo–Soyuz.[3]

Post-NASA career

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Aware that his spaceflight career was most likely over,[3] Swigert took a leave of absence from NASA in April 1973 and went to Washington, D.C. to become executive director of the Committee on Science and Astronautics, U.S. House of Representatives.[20]

Swigert eventually left NASA and the committee in August 1977 to enter politics.[21] He ran for the U.S. Senate in 1978, but was soundly defeated in the Republican primary in September by Congressman Bill Armstrong, who was far better known.[22] In 1979, Swigert became vice president of B.D.M. Corporation in Golden.[13] He left in 1981 to join International Gold and Minerals Limited as vice president for financial and corporate affairs.[23]

In February 1982, Swigert left International Gold and Minerals Limited to run for U.S. Congress in the newly created 6th district as a Republican. When a malignant tumor in his right nasal passage was found, the astronaut-politician disclosed this to the voters. Doctors told him he would finish radiation treatments on June 15 and make a complete recovery.[24] However, in August, Swigert developed back pain and was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer.[25] On November 2, 1982, he won the seat with 64% of the popular vote.[26]

Death

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On December 19, 1982, seven weeks after his election, he was airlifted from his home in Littleton to Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. He died of respiratory failure at its Lombardi Cancer Center on December 27, seven days before the beginning of his congressional term, aged 51.[27][28][29] He was the last member-elect of the House to die before taking office until Luke Letlow's death from COVID-19 in December 2020.

Fifteen astronauts, including fellow Apollo 13 crewmates Jim Lovell and Fred Haise, were among the thousand mourners at his full military honors funeral in Denver, presided over by Archbishop James Casey, which included a missing man flyover by A-7 Corsairs of the Colorado Air National Guard.[30] He is buried alongside his parents (especially his father who predeceased him by eight years and his mother who outlived him for twelve years) in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Wheat Ridge.[31]

Awards, honors, and organizations

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Swigert during suit-up before the launch of Apollo 13, April 11, 1970

Swigert received the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Octave Chanute Award for 1966 for his participation in demonstrating the Rogallo wing as a feasible land landing system for returning space vehicles and astronauts.[32]

President Richard Nixon awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the Apollo 13 crew shortly after the conclusion of their mission.[33] Following a sparse parade, Swigert received the City of New York Gold Medal on June 3.[34] He received the City of Houston Medal for Valor, 1970.[35] Swigert received the American Astronautical Society Flight Achievement Award for 1970.[36] He was given University of Colorado-Boulder's Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award in 1970.[6] Vice President Spiro Agnew presented the crews of Apollo 11, 12, and 13 with the NASA Distinguished Service Medal in 1970.[37] The Apollo 13 crew also received the AIAA Haley Astronautics Award in 1971, which included a small monetary award and a medal.[38][39]

Swigert was awarded the 1972 Antonian Gold Medal.[6]

He was presented an Honorary Doctorate of Science degree from American International College in 1970,[40] an Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from Western State University in 1970,[6] and an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Western Michigan University in 1970.[41]

In 1983, Swigert was among 14 Apollo astronauts inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame.[20][42]

In 1988, Swigert was inducted into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame.[43][44]

In 1995, Swigert was portrayed by Kevin Bacon in Ron Howard's film Apollo 13.[45]

In 1997, Swigert, along with 23 other Apollo astronauts, was posthumously inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame which is located at the Kennedy Space Center.[46][47]

He was elected in September 2003 to the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Alumni Hall of Fame.[48][49]

In 1997, a statue of Swigert made by George and Mark Lundeen was placed on display in the U.S. Capitol Building as one of two statues given by the state of Colorado to the National Statuary Hall Collection.[50][51] As of December 2008 the statue is on display in Emancipation Hall in the United States Capitol Visitor Center. A duplicate statue is currently on display at Denver International Airport Terminal B, where passengers exit the airport's train system.[52]

The Space Foundation was founded in 1983 in part to honor the memory and accomplishments of Swigert.[53][54] In 2004, the Space Foundation launched the John L. "Jack" Swigert Jr. Award for Space Exploration, which is presented annually to an individual, group, or organization that has made a significant contribution to space exploration. On August 18, 2009, the Space Foundation and Colorado Springs District 11 partnered to open the Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy.[55][56]

Swigert was a member of numerous organizations. He was a fellow of the American Astronautical Society; associate fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; and member of the Quiet Birdmen, Phi Gamma Delta, Pi Tau Sigma, and Sigma Tau.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Eicher, Diane (December 19, 1982). "Ex-astronaut's challenge". Beaver County Times. p. B2 – via Google News.
  2. ^ a b c d Treaster, Joseph B. (December 29, 1982). "Jack Swigert, astronaut elected to Congress, dies". The New York Times. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e Carney, Emily (April 29, 2014). "For Jack Swigert, On His 83rd Birthday". AmericaSpace. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  4. ^ "Scouting and Space Exploration". Boy Scouts of America. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016.
  5. ^ "Astronauts with Scouting experience". US Scouting Service. August 26, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "John L. Swigert Jr., NASA Astronaut (Deceased)" (PDF). NASA. January 1983. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  7. ^ "Astronaut is Honored by Chamber, School". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. April 29, 1966. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Astronaut Receives Degree". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. June 11, 1967. p. 42 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Kershaw, Tom (May 17, 1968). "Astronaut Swigert Began Flight Instruction at 14". Abilene Reporter-News. Abilene, Texas. p. B-1 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Pallatto, John (April 14, 1983). "A Tribute: He 'Bore Holes in the Sky'". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. p. E1 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b Chaikin 1998, p. 307.
  12. ^ Thompson, Ronald (April 5, 1966). "19 New Spacemen Are Named". The High Point Enterprise. High Point, North Carolina. p. 2A – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ a b Howell, Elizabeth (March 20, 2013). "Jack Swigert: Apollo 13 Astronaut Turned Politician". Space.com. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  14. ^ Slayton & Cassutt 1994, p. 256.
  15. ^ Lovell 1975.
  16. ^ "Remarks on Presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Apollo 13 Astronauts in Honolulu". The American Presidency Project. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  17. ^ Slayton & Cassutt 1994, p. 278.
  18. ^ Slayton & Cassutt 1994, p. 279.
  19. ^ Kraft, p. 344.
  20. ^ a b "Jack Swigert inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame". New Mexico Museum of Space History. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  21. ^ "People...In the News". The Paducah Sun. Paducah, Kentucky. September 27, 1977. p. 3A – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ "Primaries kind to most incumbents". Deseret News. Salt Lake City, Utah. UPI. September 13, 1978. p. A-1 – via Google News.
  23. ^ Ringle, Ken (December 29, 1982). "Rep.-Elect Swigert Dies". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  24. ^ "Swigert Runs for Congress". The Daily News-Journal. Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Associated Press. June 2, 1982. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ "Ex-Astronaut Swigert Campaigns for Congress, Against Cancer". Longview Daily News. Longview, Washington. Los Angeles Times. October 27, 1982. p. A4 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ "Ex-Astronaut Fights Cancer, Coasts to Seat on Congress". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, Florida. Associated Press. November 4, 1982. p. A15 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ Chaikin 1998, p. 606.
  28. ^ "Jack Swigert loses fight against cancer". Ocala Star-Banner. Associated Press. December 28, 1982. p. 4D – via Google News.
  29. ^ "Ex-Astronaut, Newly Elected to House, Dies". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. Associated Press. December 29, 1982. p. 12D – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "Astronaut Swigert buried". The Bulletin. Bend, Oregon. UPI. January 5, 1983. p. A4 – via Google News.
  31. ^ "Ex-astronaut gets eulogized". Victoria Advocate. Victoria, Texas. Associated Press. January 5, 1983. p. 10D – via Google News.
  32. ^ "Astronauts Honored at LA Air Banquet". Santa Maria Times. Santa Maria, California. UPI. June 29, 1966. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ "Heroes of Apollo 13 Welcomed by President and Loved Ones". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. April 19, 1970. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ Sauro, William E. (June 4, 1970). "Mayor Honors Apollo 13 Crew at Lincoln Center". The New York Times. p. 27.
  35. ^ "Space City Cover Society Plans Medal for Astronauts". Clarion-Ledger. Jackson, Mississippi. May 5, 1970. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ "Neil Armstrong Space Flight Achievement Award". American Astronautical Society. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  37. ^ "Agnew Confers Awards on Crews of 3 Apollos". Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. Associated Press. November 14, 1970. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ "Astronauts to Get Top Award at Arizona Conference". Tucson Daily Citizen. Tucson, Arizona. UPI. March 5, 1971. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ Thomis, Wayne (March 7, 1971). "Plane Talk". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. pp. 3–21 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ^ "Honorary Degree for Astronaut". Nashua Telegraph. Nashua, New Hampshire. Associated Press. June 6, 1970. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ "Apollo 13 Astronauts Made Honorary WMU Alums". Western Michigan University Newsletter. September 1970. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  42. ^ Sheppard, David (October 2, 1983). "Space Hall Inducts 14 Apollo Program Astronauts". El Paso Times. El Paso, Texas. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^ Holmes, Charles W., ed. (1999). Honoree Album of the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame. Audubon, Iowa: Audubon Media Corp. OCLC 53380391.
  44. ^ "Colorado Aviation Historical Society and Hall of Fame website: Jack Swigert, Jr. History". Archived from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  45. ^ Ebert, Robert (June 30, 1995). "America's Derring-Do Resurrected". The Record. Hackensack, New Jersey. p. 43 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. ^ "Jack Swigert inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame". Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  47. ^ Meyer, Marilyn (October 2, 1997). "Ceremony to Honor Astronauts". Florida Today. Cocoa, Florida. p. 2B – via Newspapers.com.
  48. ^ "RPI Alumni Hall of Fame: John L. Swigert Jr". Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  49. ^ "Rensselaer Honors Late Apollo 13 Astronaut Swigert". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. October 21, 2003. p. B4 – via Newspapers.com.
  50. ^ Calloway, Larry (June 22, 1997). "Statuesque Nominee". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. B1 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. ^ "John Swigert Jr". Architect of the Capitol. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  52. ^ Kenney, Andrew (April 17, 2017). "Jack Swigert, the astronaut commemorated at DIA, did an amazing thing 47 years ago today". Denverite. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  53. ^ "Symposium Awards". National Space Symposium. Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved November 27, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  54. ^ O'Keefe, Mary (February 17, 2006). "JPL Honored for Space Exploration". The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. p. A8 – via Newspapers.com.
  55. ^ Developer (August 18, 2009). "Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy Opens". Space Foundation. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  56. ^ Baillie, Amber (August 18, 2009). "Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy opens". The Colorado Springs Business Journal. Retrieved February 12, 2020.

Works cited

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U.S. House of Representatives
New constituency Member-elect of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Colorado's 6th congressional district
1982 		Succeeded by
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