[Harry W. Swinburne oral history interview]

Fighter ace Harry W. Swinburne is interviewed about his military service with the United States Navy during World War II. He describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time stationed on the USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) with Fighting Squadron 45 (VF-45). Special focus on a combat mission on March 28, 1944, in which Swinburne scored victories against two Japanese gunboats east of Okinawa. Afterwards, he piloted his severely damaged Grumman F6F Hellcat back to the carrier task force and made a one-wheeled night landing onboard the USS Hornet (CV-12).

The interview is conducted via telephone by historian Eric M. Hammel. Note that the audio may be difficult to hear due to spots of distortion present in the original recording.

Harry W. Swinburne was born on January 4, 1923 in Delhi, Iowa. He joined the United States Navy in 1942 and graduated from the Navy Aviation Cadet V-5 program the following year. Swinburne served aboard the USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) with Fighting Squadron 45 (VF-45), flying missions over Formosa, Okinawa, and other areas of the Pacific Theater. In addition to his aerial victories, he also scored three ship victories: two gunboats east of Okinawa and a freighter in Takao Harbor. Swinburne remained in the military after the end of World War II and went on to hold a number of command positions, including air officer for the USS Essex, skipper of Attack Squadron 6 (VA-6) on the USS Enterprise, and commander of Naval Support Force Antarctica. He also served as a helicopter pilot during the Korean War. Swinburne retired as a captain in 1972 and passed away in 1991.