JOHN M. SWEENEY, CDR, USN
John Sweeny '43
Lucky Bag
From the 1943 Lucky Bag:
JOHN MILTON SWEENEY
Breckenridge, Texas
How Jack managed to stand near the top in almost every class with a minimum of studying will ever be a mystery. Perhaps he got the secret from his alma mater, the University of Texas. Although his entrance into the Naval Academy radically changed his plans to become a sportswriter, Jack missed few major sporting events at the academy. He tried a few sports himself, but, not being of varsity caliber, contented himself with being one of the mainstays of the championship company soft ball team. His partiality for Texas girls slowed his dragging efforts somewhat, but he was usually there when the band started playing.
He was a member of the soccer team.
The Class of 1943 was graduated in June 1942 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
JOHN MILTON SWEENEY
Breckenridge, Texas
How Jack managed to stand near the top in almost every class with a minimum of studying will ever be a mystery. Perhaps he got the secret from his alma mater, the University of Texas. Although his entrance into the Naval Academy radically changed his plans to become a sportswriter, Jack missed few major sporting events at the academy. He tried a few sports himself, but, not being of varsity caliber, contented himself with being one of the mainstays of the championship company soft ball team. His partiality for Texas girls slowed his dragging efforts somewhat, but he was usually there when the band started playing.
He was a member of the soccer team.
The Class of 1943 was graduated in June 1942 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Loss
John was lost on November 9, 1956 when the P5M-1 Marlin patrol bomber he was aboard caught fire and crashed approximately 350 miles from Bermuda. All ten crewmen aboard were killed.
Other Information
His F9F-2 Panther suffered a mechanical malfunction on takeoff from USS Princeton (CVA 37) on June 20, 1952. He was forced to ditch, and was rescued by the plane guard helicopter.
From the Class of 1943 anniversary book "25 years later…":
Jack was born on 23 January 1920 in Landonia, Texas. He was appointed from Texas and entered the Academy on 12 July 1939. After graduation, he reported to the battleship USS TENNESSEE in which Jack was the main battery spotter for operation at Kwajalein, Enivetok and Saipan. The TENNESSEE received the Navy Unit Citation for these actions. In July 1944 Jack commenced flight training which was conducted at Ottumwa, Iowa, and Pensacola and Corpus Christi, Florida. After receiving operational training in PBM aircraft in San Diego he reported to VH-1 for duty involving flying in June 1946. Duty in Patrol Squadron FORTY-FOUR, the Bureau of Naval Personnel and Commander, Air Forces Pacific followed through December 1953. Jack next attended the Air Force Command and Staff School at Maxwell Air Force Base. Duty at the Naval Auxiliary Station, Kingsville, Texas and Patrol Squadron FORTY NINE followed. It was at this squadron that Jack as a copilot crashed into the sea on 9 November 1956 and lost his life. He wore the American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, the American Area Campaign, Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign with four bronze stars, WWII Victory Medal, China Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal. He was survived by his wife, Marine Mathewson and their four sons John Milton, Jr., William A., Albert Earle, and Dan Mathewson who at Jack’s death resided at 610 Balboa Avenue, Coronado, California.
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Jack graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1937 as Vice-President of the senior class. Basketball ’35-’37; Football Mgr. ’35; Mars Club ’35-’36, Sec. ’37; “B” Club ’36-’37; Spanish Cl. ‘34 ’35; Dynamo Editor ’37 [awarded Best Page in a Local Paper and Best in its Class at Texas High School Press Association meetings in 1937]; Annual Staff ‘37; Nat’l Honor Society; One-Act Play ’37; Pres. Jr. Class ’36. In the “B. H. S. Dictionary,” the definition of Varmint was Jack.
In July 1937, Jack visited his Congressman Clyde L. Garrett in Washington. Jack attended the University of Texas at Austin for one year and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega.
Whenever Jack could, like summertime away from the Naval Academy or home on leave as a lieutenant, he played in golf tournaments. In July 1945, he was in the Fourth Flight playing against Cpl. Bob Craig of Laredo.
In 1940, Jack’s father Albert was an insurance agent, mother Julia, and sisters Margaret, Julia and Catherine.
John's Find A Grave page is here.
Photographs
From his high school yearbook
From his high school yearbook
From the yearbook of UT Austin
Distinguished Flying Cross
From Hall of Valor:
SYNOPSIS: Commander John Sweeny, United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-ONE (VF-191), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 23 June 1952.
General Orders: All Hands (May 1954)
Action Date: June 23, 1952
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
Company: Fighter Squadron 191 (VF-191)
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