Marine Corps Career
After graduating from Georgia Tech, Swindle reported to Marine Corps Base Quantico for The Basic School (TBS). After earning his wings in May 1964, he was stationed at MCAS Beaufort. On February 1, 1966, he deployed with VMF(AW)-235 ("The Death Angels") to DaNang Air Base and flew more than 200 sorties in the Vought F-8E Crusader.
On November 11, 1966, Capt. Swindle's Crusader was shot down while on a mission over the Quang Binh Province, North Vietnam. It was his last scheduled flight. Captured by the North Vietnamese near the city of Vinh Linh, Capt. Swindle spent the next seven years being shuffled around various prison camps, including the notorious Hanoi Hilton complex. While in captivity, he shared a cell with future senator and presidential candidate John McCain.
Read more about this topic: Orson Swindle
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