RONALD R. SWANSON, ENS, USN
Ronald Swanson '52
Lucky Bag
From the 1952 Lucky Bag:
Ronald Roy Swanson
Lake Bronson, Minnesota
"Swanee," originally from the north woods of Minnesota, came to us from the Navy. He was always willing to hoist a couple of cool ones with a buddy while talking over old Navy lore. "Swanee" said that his greatest compliment came when a first class boatswain mate called him the biggest gold bricker in the Navy. Academics presented him no problem, and he didn't over-load his mind with studying. After classes, we found him down at the America Dock acting as ballast for one of the dinghy captains. He was looking forward to a career in the Air Corps, but his greatest aspiration was to have six months leave, twice a year.
Ronald Roy Swanson
Lake Bronson, Minnesota
"Swanee," originally from the north woods of Minnesota, came to us from the Navy. He was always willing to hoist a couple of cool ones with a buddy while talking over old Navy lore. "Swanee" said that his greatest compliment came when a first class boatswain mate called him the biggest gold bricker in the Navy. Academics presented him no problem, and he didn't over-load his mind with studying. After classes, we found him down at the America Dock acting as ballast for one of the dinghy captains. He was looking forward to a career in the Air Corps, but his greatest aspiration was to have six months leave, twice a year.
Loss
Ronald was lost in an aircraft accident near Pensacola, Florida, on March 30, 1953.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz: "Ronald was found when parts of the plane were raised. He had not bailed out. He was survived by his wife Grace and infant child residing at Navy Point."
He is buried in Minnesota.
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