JOHN P. MACSWAIN, LT, USN (RET.)
John Macswain '74
Lucky Bag
From the 1974 Lucky Bag:
John P. MacSwain
Merrill, Wisconsin
“Jack the Mac”, an old farmer from way back, came to USNA from Merrill, Wisconsin. During the years here, we were all aware of Mac’s deep interest in studies as we listened to book after book slam against the walls. Following up as a wrestler in high school, Jack kept up with Navy wrestling and found himself as varsity manager during 1/c year. When not with the wrestling team, Jack was wrestling every night with his roommates. Mac kept the company in stiches with his on the spot infinite combinations of four letter words, “a must for every officer-gentleman”. Jack’s dynamic personality and persistence has shown us in 4th that he will make a fine junior officer and be successful in later endeavors.
John P. MacSwain
Merrill, Wisconsin
“Jack the Mac”, an old farmer from way back, came to USNA from Merrill, Wisconsin. During the years here, we were all aware of Mac’s deep interest in studies as we listened to book after book slam against the walls. Following up as a wrestler in high school, Jack kept up with Navy wrestling and found himself as varsity manager during 1/c year. When not with the wrestling team, Jack was wrestling every night with his roommates. Mac kept the company in stiches with his on the spot infinite combinations of four letter words, “a must for every officer-gentleman”. Jack’s dynamic personality and persistence has shown us in 4th that he will make a fine junior officer and be successful in later endeavors.
Loss
"Jack" died on February 23, 1979 of "injuries received December 26 in a shipboard accident" on USS Inchon (LPH 12), inport Portsmouth, Virginia. He was working with a crew to raise a sunken launch to the deck when a cable snapped, struck him, and knocked him into the water.
Other Information
From Wausau (Wisconsin) Daily Herald:
Lt. MacSwain was born March 3, 1952, in Merrill, son of Robert and Geraldine MacSwain, Merrill Route 2. He was married Oct. 27, 1977, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Sandra Roble, who survives.
He was a 1970 graduate of Merrill High School and a member of the state championship wrestling team that year, and was graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1974. A member of the U.S. Navy, he was serving as an engineering officer aboard the USS Inchon. He was a member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association and St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Merrill.
Surviving besides his wife, Sandra, and parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert MacSwain, are four brothers, Steven, Black River Falls, Rob, University of Wisconsin - River Falls, and Donald and James, both at home; and a sister, Mary Jo MacSwain, Evanston, Ill.
From researcher Kathy Franz: "He graduated from Merrill High School in 1970. Student Council Alternate 3; Class Council Regular 3, 4; Alternate 3; Cross Country 2, 3, 4; Wrestling 2, 3, 4; Senior Band 3, 4; Viking Band 2; President 2, 4; German Club 3; Lettermen’s Club 3, 4."
He entered the Naval Academy with a high school classmate of his, Rick W. Mann.
Jack's first tour was aboard USS Ouellet (FF 1077), which was stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Jack is listed on the "In Memoriam" page of USS Inchon's 1978 79 cruise book.
USS Incheon (LPH 12) had deployed in the time since Jack's injury. They sent this message to his family:
We are deeply saddened by the news of Jack's death. We join you in your mourning and feel a deep personal loss of our friend and shipmate. Jack's outstanding leadership is severely missed by the INCHON, the Navy and his country. He was respected by his superiors, peers and enlisted alike. On behalf of myself and the entire INCHON family may I express our utmost and heartfelt sympathy; and offer our prayers for both you and Jack. Today the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was offered for Jack and the Protestant Divine Service was in his honor. A formal Memorial Service is planned aboard INCHON coinciding with the date and as closely as possible to the time of the funeral. Photographs will be sent to you. Scott Dimio who has been detached and is enroute to Norfolk carries our care and sympathy; but we all wish that we could share your burden, thereby somehow lightening your load. Please use Scott's assistance in any way that you deem necessary. May God bless you and your families. The Captain, the Officers and the men of INCHON.
Jack received a "temporary disability retirement" on January 26, 1979. He is buried in Wisconsin next to his parents.
Some Favorite Memories of Jack
From Sandy MacSwain on February 15, 2026:
Jack’s Naval Academy roommate, Craig Kvamme, recently wrote some thoughts about Jack for the 2025 Honor our Fallen Heroes weekend. One that I especially related to follows. Craig thought that Jack had died during plebe summer. Jack was taking a short nap in his bunk during a break. Per Craig, “He was laid flat on his back, arms folded across his chest, no pillow, motionless and his eyes were half open looking at the ceiling. I saw no chest movement or indication of breathing. I grabbed his arm to check for a pulse. He jerked, came to life and scared the piss out of me. Turns out that is how he slept – flat out on his back arms folded and eyes half open, and that is how he slept for the next four years.” I laughed when I read that; Jack never changed his manner of sleeping and the first time I encountered it, I didn’t grab his arm, instead, I screamed. I, too, had thought he had died. It took me a while to get used to how or why he slept this way. I later asked his sister if any other family members had this habit. No, Jack was the only one and she had no idea where it came from.
Following Christmas, 1977, the Inchon was going to sea for 4 months. We had just arrived in Norfolk in late November and while everyone on the ship was welcoming, it was still all so new. We were living off base and I was dreading him leaving but I vowed not to let him know. I had signed up to be a Navy wife after all and this was just the beginning with years to follow. We had just spent two solid months together and I was thrilled to have him home every night. Now, I was going to be without him for 4 long months.
On Christmas Eve, Jack was late getting home. We had planned a nice dinner and I was wondering where he was. No cell phones back then. A while later, much to my shock, in trots a little ball of fur nudged ever so gently by Jack. This total surprise was the cutest, sweetest, little terror of a puppy that I immediately fell in love with. What was so special about Augie (his eventual name) was that Jack, growing up on a farm, “knew” that animals did NOT belong in the house. Not cats, not dogs, not any animals. I, being a city girl, “knew” differently and it was one of the few things that we just couldn’t agree on. He gave me Augie because he knew behind my brave and happy face, I was miserable. Augie would provide some much-needed company and do his bit to keep me occupied. I’m not sure Jack could foresee how occupied and how much “entertainment” Augie would provide though. The first thing sweet Augie did that Christmas Eve was run to the presents under the Christmas tree and tear the wrapping off every single gift. He subsequently found dead birds and rabbits and brought them home as gifts for us. He ran away to the school down the road and tried to sit in on the classes. His manners (or obedience) never did improve much but he was a happy, joyful and silly dog. I didn’t mention that he was a Weimaraner Lab mix and as he grew, he leaped over every barrier erected to try to contain him. He thought it was a game. He wasn’t the best choice for a one bedroom apartment but he made both of us laugh and we enjoyed him so much, he even went on vacation with us back to the Midwest. He loved running around the farm chasing the cats, the other dogs, and, no doubt, the cows. And if I remember correctly, we even convinced his parents to let him in the house. That had to be Jack; I don’t think this city girl had that kind of sway with them. My family was used to having dogs inside but questioned that wisdom when they saw his size and “enthusiasm.”
I loved to travel anywhere with Jack. This first became apparent on our one-month honeymoon across the United States. Starting out in San Diego, we went up the entire California Coast, stopping in Santa Barbara, Big Sur, Monterey, San Francisco, and Napa before heading East. We spent time in Las Vegas, and at the Grand Canyon, Santa Fe, and Denver. We celebrated with friends and family in Chicago first and then in Wisconsin before heading to our final destination of Virginia Beach. Every stop, everywhere he and/or I had friends for us to see, Jack had it planned. It was all so easy and perfect for me. I was blessedly spoiled. He did the same thing when we went back home during the Summer, when we went to visit a group of friends in Annapolis for a long weekend, when we went to a wedding in Wilmington, N.C. He was determined to see every interesting sight, eat at unique restaurants, find the most fun things to do. I assumed he had superior organizational training at the Academy and I wisely let him “carry on.” (Even back then, I possessed good managerial skills.)
But my favorite travel memory with Jack is Rio de Janeiro. Hands down.
In mid-February, while the Inchon was still in Africa, I sent Jack a telegram: “Jack, Have chance to meet you in Rio 3/12 through 3/18. Please advise. Will be alone. Will we have much time together? Must make decision immediately. Love you, Sandy”
His immediate reply: “Honey, in reference to Rio, by all means, Yes, Yes, Yes. Have leave for your time there, however, I am leaving the 17th. Am counting the days and hours. I love you ever so much. Jack USS Inchon”
I could not convince even one other wife to go on the trip with me because the ship was due back in Norfolk within a matter of weeks. I did go alone (my first time out of the country). We had 5 glorious days together seeing the well-known beautiful sights including Corcovado with the Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf Mountain with its cable cars. We walked along Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches, and we browsed in the stores. Jack bought me 2 small rubies which were put in a leather pouch. (Months later, Augie somehow found the pouch, ate it and the contents, and poor Jack trailed the culprit around night after night until he was able to retrieve them.) We even rented a car and drove to some deserted beaches where we swam and picnicked. At night, we found some lively, entertaining nightclubs. It was a magical time. After the ship was back underway, they learned that they were not going directly back to Norfolk as planned. They didn’t return home for at least another month. It made our Rio time even more special. I heard many times, from many wives, “I wish I would have gone with you.”
While today’s e-mails, Facebook Messenger/WhatsApp, video calls are a vital lifeline for families, I feel fortunate that I have Jack’s handwritten letters. I still look back on them and remember people, places, events, and happy times. We would try to write each other every day while he was at sea. We’d receive a stack of letters and cards all at once when the ship reached port so we numbered them to read them in the correct order. Then one of us would invariably forget what number we were on and we’d start all over again. Of course, while he had the “excuse” of having too little sleep while resolving an engineering issue or (more likely) enjoying himself a little too much at an embassy party in some port, my boring excuse was either work or Augie or maybe (just once or twice — hmmm) a night out with the other wives.
When we were married 4-1/2 months, he wrote me that we had been apart 40% of that time. I know it is not unusual for Navy folks but he was worried about what we were giving up by not being together. It was the first time he questioned staying in the Navy because of the long separations. He told me that before we were married he loved going to sea; it was a great way to save money and to see the world. (He visited 6 continents by the time he was 25.) But now, he hated us being apart. He was concerned about me giving up my career with all the Navy moves. I knew, however, that I would never ask him to give up his first love no matter how much he said or thought otherwise. I believe it was the newness of having a wife waiting for him when he came home. Besides being rightly proud of being a Navy Officer, he felt a very strong duty to serve his country. His father and uncles had served and he was remarkably close to all of them. They were his role models.
Jack was injured when a steel cable snapped, hitting him in the head and throwing him into the water, while at work on December 26, 1978. He died on February 23, 1979. During those 60 days, he was in a coma at Naval Hospital Portsmouth. But one day, almost midway through that time, he woke up. He opened his eyes and looked around obviously confused. He had tubes poking him everywhere so he couldn’t talk or even sit up. He figured out that he was in the hospital but didn’t know why. But he did know he was upset with me because he was there. I was so happy he was awake, I didn’t care what he blamed me for. I was all smiles, hugs, kisses, and happiness.
The doctors had warned me long before that day given his severe head injury he might not remember we were married; he might not remember my name, or worst of all, who I was. The ICU doctor on duty asked him to shake his head if he knew who I was. He shook his head yes. Then the doctor gave him paper and pen and with great effort, he wrote my name. His dad and I went home that night believing Jack was going to recover. It was the first (and last time) I left the hospital during those 2 months; the next day when we arrived, he was back in a coma and on an ice blanket. But the fact that he woke up that one day, was a miraculous gift to me that I will always treasure along with that piece of paper that I still have.
Four hundred twenty-five people signed the memorial book at Jack’s funeral in his hometown of Merrill, Wisconsin. Yes, “everyone knew everyone” in the small farming town and his family was respected and firmly integrated into the community. But besides the many townspeople that came, and all of our family and friends that travelled from out-of-state, fellow Officers from both the Ouellet and the Inchon attended. He was respected, admired, liked and loved. I remain close to his sister, Mary Jo, and his brother, Donald. Jack is buried next to his parents in Merrill. Donald visits the graves every day and during the Summer, he waters the flowers he plants. I couldn’t ask for a better caretaker and I adore him. Mary Jo is like a third sister to me. We travel together frequently, visit each other when we can, and share whatever is happening in our lives. I adore her as well.
I was and am most proud to have been loved by Jack. I am also determined, as best as I can, to honor Jack and live by the words of the first female graduate from the USNA killed in action: “Love deeply and live greatly – for them and yourselves.” Megan M. McClung, Maj, USMCR, USNA ’95 (1972-2006).
Photographs
All photos after the first two are from his widow, Sandy MacSwain, on January 27, 2026.
From his high school yearbook
From his high school yearbook
Working on the farm in Wisconsin
Hawaii's big island, 1975.jpeg
Relaxing with fellow Ouellet officer, 1975
Jack while on Ouellet's West Pac deployment, 1976
Tijuana
Jack and Sandy at O'Hare Airport, September 1977
Fleet Training Center San Diego: Reading or sleeping?
Sea World, September 1977
Watching the ships go to sea, San Diego, 1977
Jack and Sandy in San Diego, October 1977
Jack and Sandy in San Diego, October 1977
Near San Diego, October 1977
With the commanding officer of Ouellet, Pearl Harbor, October 27, 1977
Jack and Sandy's wedding vows, Pearl Harbor, October 27, 1977
Jack, Sandy, and Barb, Pearl Harbor, October 27, 1977
Sandy and Ouellet's commanding officer, Pearl Harbor, October 27, 1977
Toasting to happiness, Pearl Harbor, October 27, 1977
Celebrating with Ouellet wardroom friends, Pearl Harbor, October 27, 1977
Wedding reception, Pearl Harbor, October 27, 1977
Reception Day 2, October 28, 1977
Jack getting even, October 28, 1977
At their "Shivaree" in Wisconsin, November 1977
More wedding cake, Wisconsin, November 1977
Sandy: "I am NOT stabbing him!" Wisconsin, November 1977
Inchon portrait, 1977
Christmas 1977, Virginia Beach
Sandy: "I must have started it"
Jack's promotion to Lieutenant
Captain congratulating the new Lieutenants
Jack in Rio while on leave, March 1978
Inchon bridge, 1978
Jack and Sandy with her sister Pam and Pam's college friends, Chicago
Sandy's father and and Jack aboard Inchon in Norfolk, 1978
"Shirley and Paul's Baby", Virginia Beach, 1978
"He would have been a great dad"
Memorial service aboard USS Incheon (LPH 12)
Memorial service aboard USS Incheon (LPH 12)
Memorial service aboard USS Incheon (LPH 12)
Memorial Hall Error
Jack is not listed with his classmates. He was identified by reviewing Shipmate magazine issues; his date of death and "Portsmouth VA" is given in the May 1979 issue.
The Register of Alumni has no date of death, but lists him as deceased and also LT, Retired.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.