Orrin Endreas Swenson (O-374146) was born in Stoughton, Wisconsin on June 8 1913, the only son of Helmer Anfeldt Swenson (1881 – 1970) and Isabelle Jeanette Anderson (1878 – 1952). He had a younger sister, Marion (Kundiger) (1918 – 2018) His parents were immigrants from Norway and his father worked in Stoughton as a letter carrier.
Census information suggests Orrin Swenson spent his childhood in Stoughton graduating from Stoughton High School in 1931. The yearbook is filled with his many interests and accomplishments. Below is an excerpt: Quote: "Accomplishment – the combination of hard work and ability."
Band 1 – 4; Interclass Basketball 2; Glee Club 1, 2, 4; Class Play 3; Debate 3, 4; Football 1 – 4; HI – Y 4; Orchestra 2; Student Council 3; Yahara Staff 3 (Boys Athletic Editor); Glee Club Play 1, 2, 4; Class President 3; Prom Chairman 3; Holder of Spade; National Forensic League 4; Sec. Treas. 4.
As a winner of the Lions Club Award for Scholarship in Science as a senior and a member of the National Honor Society, his academic capability was clear by this time. But he also well-rounded, participating in sports, theatrical performances, music, debate and on the school yearbook staff.
His classmates clearly appreciated his talents and wit, as illustrated by the following excerpts from the Class Will and Class Prophecy. item #16 of the Will reads: 'To next year's Hi-Y president, Orrin Swenson leaves his sarcastic remarks and willingness to cooperate." The class prophecy for Orrin reads – "Orrin Swenson has turned musical and directs "Orrin's Ossified Orchestra.""
Orrin Swenson went on to college at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He graduated with a degree in Medical Science. Judging by the entry in the 1935 yearbook, he was no less involved in college. He served on the Badger editorial staff as a sophomore, as the Organization Editor as a junior and was Managing Editor in his senior year. He played in the football band as freshman and sophomore, sang
with the University Singers as a sophomore and was a member of Phi Chi, Phi Kappa Phi and made Sophomore Honors. His wrote his thesis on physiological chemistry.
After graduation he stayed on and attended the University of Wisconsin Medical School, graduating in 1938.
It is not entirely clear when he entered the military, given the requirements needed to be qualified as a doctor. One obituary says he was stationed at Selfridge Field, Michigan as a Medical Reserve Officer. The 1940 census confirms this as he is listed in Mount Clemens Michigan working on the Air Force Base as a medical doctor. He later became a Medical Examiner on the flying cadet board of the 6th Corps area. He likely joined the reserves before being called to active duty.
By January 1942 Orrin Swenson appears to have been on active duty as he graduated from aviation school in Rankin, TX as a flight surgeon. He then left for foreign service in Burma and Delhi, India. During at least some that time he was assigned to the 10th Service Command. He returned home in late summer/fall, 1942 , apparently due to illness, likely with the rank of major. Major Swenson convalesced at home for 3 weeks before being assigned as the Chief Medical Officer at Seymour Johnson Field in Goldsboro, NC.
Though sick while on leave ,he returned to duty at Seymour Johnson Field. It is not clear how long he served there before checking into the hospital. We do know he was in the hospital for 6 days before succumbing to his illness at 5:45 pm on December 21, 1943. On his death certificate the immediate cause is listed as "shock, secondary severe" and death "due to: gas gangrene, right thigh severe, cause undetermined." Just prior to his death he had been recommended for promotion to Lt. Colonel.
Major Swenson was buried at Arlington National Cemetery (Section 8; Grave 6130) on December 23, 1943. Major Orrin Endreas Swenson served his country during a time of desperate need. He deserves our lasting thanks and gratitude. Let us not forget his service with such outstanding distinction to the nation. You will not be forgotten.
Census information suggests Orrin Swenson spent his childhood in Stoughton graduating from Stoughton High School in 1931. The yearbook is filled with his many interests and accomplishments. Below is an excerpt: Quote: "Accomplishment – the combination of hard work and ability."
Band 1 – 4; Interclass Basketball 2; Glee Club 1, 2, 4; Class Play 3; Debate 3, 4; Football 1 – 4; HI – Y 4; Orchestra 2; Student Council 3; Yahara Staff 3 (Boys Athletic Editor); Glee Club Play 1, 2, 4; Class President 3; Prom Chairman 3; Holder of Spade; National Forensic League 4; Sec. Treas. 4.
As a winner of the Lions Club Award for Scholarship in Science as a senior and a member of the National Honor Society, his academic capability was clear by this time. But he also well-rounded, participating in sports, theatrical performances, music, debate and on the school yearbook staff.
His classmates clearly appreciated his talents and wit, as illustrated by the following excerpts from the Class Will and Class Prophecy. item #16 of the Will reads: 'To next year's Hi-Y president, Orrin Swenson leaves his sarcastic remarks and willingness to cooperate." The class prophecy for Orrin reads – "Orrin Swenson has turned musical and directs "Orrin's Ossified Orchestra.""
Orrin Swenson went on to college at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He graduated with a degree in Medical Science. Judging by the entry in the 1935 yearbook, he was no less involved in college. He served on the Badger editorial staff as a sophomore, as the Organization Editor as a junior and was Managing Editor in his senior year. He played in the football band as freshman and sophomore, sang
with the University Singers as a sophomore and was a member of Phi Chi, Phi Kappa Phi and made Sophomore Honors. His wrote his thesis on physiological chemistry.
After graduation he stayed on and attended the University of Wisconsin Medical School, graduating in 1938.
It is not entirely clear when he entered the military, given the requirements needed to be qualified as a doctor. One obituary says he was stationed at Selfridge Field, Michigan as a Medical Reserve Officer. The 1940 census confirms this as he is listed in Mount Clemens Michigan working on the Air Force Base as a medical doctor. He later became a Medical Examiner on the flying cadet board of the 6th Corps area. He likely joined the reserves before being called to active duty.
By January 1942 Orrin Swenson appears to have been on active duty as he graduated from aviation school in Rankin, TX as a flight surgeon. He then left for foreign service in Burma and Delhi, India. During at least some that time he was assigned to the 10th Service Command. He returned home in late summer/fall, 1942 , apparently due to illness, likely with the rank of major. Major Swenson convalesced at home for 3 weeks before being assigned as the Chief Medical Officer at Seymour Johnson Field in Goldsboro, NC.
Though sick while on leave ,he returned to duty at Seymour Johnson Field. It is not clear how long he served there before checking into the hospital. We do know he was in the hospital for 6 days before succumbing to his illness at 5:45 pm on December 21, 1943. On his death certificate the immediate cause is listed as "shock, secondary severe" and death "due to: gas gangrene, right thigh severe, cause undetermined." Just prior to his death he had been recommended for promotion to Lt. Colonel.
Major Swenson was buried at Arlington National Cemetery (Section 8; Grave 6130) on December 23, 1943. Major Orrin Endreas Swenson served his country during a time of desperate need. He deserves our lasting thanks and gratitude. Let us not forget his service with such outstanding distinction to the nation. You will not be forgotten.
Orrin Endreas Swenson (O-374146) was born in Stoughton, Wisconsin on June 8 1913, the only son of Helmer Anfeldt Swenson (1881 – 1970) and Isabelle Jeanette Anderson (1878 – 1952). He had a younger sister, Marion (Kundiger) (1918 – 2018) His parents were immigrants from Norway and his father worked in Stoughton as a letter carrier.
Census information suggests Orrin Swenson spent his childhood in Stoughton graduating from Stoughton High School in 1931. The yearbook is filled with his many interests and accomplishments. Below is an excerpt: Quote: "Accomplishment – the combination of hard work and ability."
Band 1 – 4; Interclass Basketball 2; Glee Club 1, 2, 4; Class Play 3; Debate 3, 4; Football 1 – 4; HI – Y 4; Orchestra 2; Student Council 3; Yahara Staff 3 (Boys Athletic Editor); Glee Club Play 1, 2, 4; Class President 3; Prom Chairman 3; Holder of Spade; National Forensic League 4; Sec. Treas. 4.
As a winner of the Lions Club Award for Scholarship in Science as a senior and a member of the National Honor Society, his academic capability was clear by this time. But he also well-rounded, participating in sports, theatrical performances, music, debate and on the school yearbook staff.
His classmates clearly appreciated his talents and wit, as illustrated by the following excerpts from the Class Will and Class Prophecy. item #16 of the Will reads: 'To next year's Hi-Y president, Orrin Swenson leaves his sarcastic remarks and willingness to cooperate." The class prophecy for Orrin reads – "Orrin Swenson has turned musical and directs "Orrin's Ossified Orchestra.""
Orrin Swenson went on to college at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He graduated with a degree in Medical Science. Judging by the entry in the 1935 yearbook, he was no less involved in college. He served on the Badger editorial staff as a sophomore, as the Organization Editor as a junior and was Managing Editor in his senior year. He played in the football band as freshman and sophomore, sang
with the University Singers as a sophomore and was a member of Phi Chi, Phi Kappa Phi and made Sophomore Honors. His wrote his thesis on physiological chemistry.
After graduation he stayed on and attended the University of Wisconsin Medical School, graduating in 1938.
It is not entirely clear when he entered the military, given the requirements needed to be qualified as a doctor. One obituary says he was stationed at Selfridge Field, Michigan as a Medical Reserve Officer. The 1940 census confirms this as he is listed in Mount Clemens Michigan working on the Air Force Base as a medical doctor. He later became a Medical Examiner on the flying cadet board of the 6th Corps area. He likely joined the reserves before being called to active duty.
By January 1942 Orrin Swenson appears to have been on active duty as he graduated from aviation school in Rankin, TX as a flight surgeon. He then left for foreign service in Burma and Delhi, India. During at least some that time he was assigned to the 10th Service Command. He returned home in late summer/fall, 1942 , apparently due to illness, likely with the rank of major. Major Swenson convalesced at home for 3 weeks before being assigned as the Chief Medical Officer at Seymour Johnson Field in Goldsboro, NC.
Though sick while on leave ,he returned to duty at Seymour Johnson Field. It is not clear how long he served there before checking into the hospital. We do know he was in the hospital for 6 days before succumbing to his illness at 5:45 pm on December 21, 1943. On his death certificate the immediate cause is listed as "shock, secondary severe" and death "due to: gas gangrene, right thigh severe, cause undetermined." Just prior to his death he had been recommended for promotion to Lt. Colonel.
Major Swenson was buried at Arlington National Cemetery (Section 8; Grave 6130) on December 23, 1943. Major Orrin Endreas Swenson served his country during a time of desperate need. He deserves our lasting thanks and gratitude. Let us not forget his service with such outstanding distinction to the nation. You will not be forgotten.
Census information suggests Orrin Swenson spent his childhood in Stoughton graduating from Stoughton High School in 1931. The yearbook is filled with his many interests and accomplishments. Below is an excerpt: Quote: "Accomplishment – the combination of hard work and ability."
Band 1 – 4; Interclass Basketball 2; Glee Club 1, 2, 4; Class Play 3; Debate 3, 4; Football 1 – 4; HI – Y 4; Orchestra 2; Student Council 3; Yahara Staff 3 (Boys Athletic Editor); Glee Club Play 1, 2, 4; Class President 3; Prom Chairman 3; Holder of Spade; National Forensic League 4; Sec. Treas. 4.
As a winner of the Lions Club Award for Scholarship in Science as a senior and a member of the National Honor Society, his academic capability was clear by this time. But he also well-rounded, participating in sports, theatrical performances, music, debate and on the school yearbook staff.
His classmates clearly appreciated his talents and wit, as illustrated by the following excerpts from the Class Will and Class Prophecy. item #16 of the Will reads: 'To next year's Hi-Y president, Orrin Swenson leaves his sarcastic remarks and willingness to cooperate." The class prophecy for Orrin reads – "Orrin Swenson has turned musical and directs "Orrin's Ossified Orchestra.""
Orrin Swenson went on to college at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He graduated with a degree in Medical Science. Judging by the entry in the 1935 yearbook, he was no less involved in college. He served on the Badger editorial staff as a sophomore, as the Organization Editor as a junior and was Managing Editor in his senior year. He played in the football band as freshman and sophomore, sang
with the University Singers as a sophomore and was a member of Phi Chi, Phi Kappa Phi and made Sophomore Honors. His wrote his thesis on physiological chemistry.
After graduation he stayed on and attended the University of Wisconsin Medical School, graduating in 1938.
It is not entirely clear when he entered the military, given the requirements needed to be qualified as a doctor. One obituary says he was stationed at Selfridge Field, Michigan as a Medical Reserve Officer. The 1940 census confirms this as he is listed in Mount Clemens Michigan working on the Air Force Base as a medical doctor. He later became a Medical Examiner on the flying cadet board of the 6th Corps area. He likely joined the reserves before being called to active duty.
By January 1942 Orrin Swenson appears to have been on active duty as he graduated from aviation school in Rankin, TX as a flight surgeon. He then left for foreign service in Burma and Delhi, India. During at least some that time he was assigned to the 10th Service Command. He returned home in late summer/fall, 1942 , apparently due to illness, likely with the rank of major. Major Swenson convalesced at home for 3 weeks before being assigned as the Chief Medical Officer at Seymour Johnson Field in Goldsboro, NC.
Though sick while on leave ,he returned to duty at Seymour Johnson Field. It is not clear how long he served there before checking into the hospital. We do know he was in the hospital for 6 days before succumbing to his illness at 5:45 pm on December 21, 1943. On his death certificate the immediate cause is listed as "shock, secondary severe" and death "due to: gas gangrene, right thigh severe, cause undetermined." Just prior to his death he had been recommended for promotion to Lt. Colonel.
Major Swenson was buried at Arlington National Cemetery (Section 8; Grave 6130) on December 23, 1943. Major Orrin Endreas Swenson served his country during a time of desperate need. He deserves our lasting thanks and gratitude. Let us not forget his service with such outstanding distinction to the nation. You will not be forgotten.
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MAJOR MED CORPS US ARMY
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