A Soldier's Story: Chief Warrant Officer George Richard Swartzendruber - Gulf War

 

Chief Warrant Officer George Richard Swartzendruber was born on March 1, 1966, in Newton, Kansas. The son of missionaries, he traveled extensively during his early years, attending grade school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and High School In Pap New Guinea. He earned his helicopter pilot's license in San Diego, California.

He enlisted in the US Army in November of 1987.

Trained as a Black Hawk pilot, he was assigned to the First Combat Brigade and deployed to the Persian Gulf in November 1990 in response to Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield and the Gulf War.  

On February 27, 1991, Chief Warrant Officer George Richard Swartzendruber died during his service after his helicopter was struck by anti-aircraft fire while on a mission to retrieve a downed Air Force Pilot.

He rests at the East Lawn Cemetery in Zimmerdale, Kansas.

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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller currently living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to the travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

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