Veteran of the Month: Bob Swann

Bob Swann, who served in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1973, has been recognized as the News-Herald’s Veteran of the Month.

Swann grew up south of Flushing, in Uniontown, before moving with his family during his senior year of high school. “My dad moved when I was a senior and I graduated from Cadiz High School,” he said.

After basic training, Swann worked as an equipment operator and was stationed in Germany. “Then all of a sudden I turned into a boat operator,” he said. “Built bridges for a little bit.”

While overseas, Swann traveled extensively, visiting Paris, the Vatican and England. He was later sent briefly to Vietnam. “Three of us guys that got sent to Vietnam was a mistake,” he said. “We went to Vietnam for just a couple days. When we got there they said, ‘you’re not supposed to be here.’ So they sent us back.”

Back in the United States, Swann served at several bases, helping with military funerals before becoming a clerk-typist. “I took typing in high school because that’s where all the girls were at,” he said. He also managed motor pool maintenance before completing his two years of active duty.

“Spent my 21st birthday in Fort Lee, Virginia, sitting in a bar by myself,” he said. “I said, ‘man, I’ve been waiting for this one.’” His favorite posting, he said, was Fort Eustis in Virginia, where he worked as a crane operator. “I would have been very happy to just stay there.”

Swann has been an active member of the American Legion for 23 years and now spends part of the year in the South to avoid Ohio winters. Despite years of traveling, he returned to Ohio to be near family. “I couldn’t tell you how many states I’ve lived in,” he said. “After a while, you just get sick of being on the road.”

Looking back, Swann said his time in the Army was life-changing. “It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” he said. “It helped turn me into a man.”