Harold Marvin Swihart was born on 28 July 1930. His parents are Dallas A. & Lena M. (Steinhilber) Swihart of Sycamore, Ohio. His mother preceded him in death. His obituary notice stated that he was a “native of Marion.” It is not known when he and his family left the Marion area, but he attended Sycamore High School.

Harold M. Swihart entered service on 10 September 1948. He was serving in Korea as a Master Sergeant (MSG) with the 7th Infantry Regiment “Cottonbalers,” 3rd Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne.” On the night of 24 May 1953, near Kumhwa, Korea, MSG Swihart was serving on a security group as a squad leader. They were ahead of the main battle line. Enemy forces began attacking the lines. MSG Swihart preformed his leadership duties by directing his soldier’s fire and moving about the line engaging the enemy. After throwing several grenades back toward the enemy, an enemy grenade landed amongst Swihart’s squad. MSG Swihart selflessly then threw himself on the grenade absorbing the blast. MSG Harold M. Swihart died of his wounds that night. For his “extraordinary heroism,” MSG Swihart was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC).

MSG. Harold M. Swihart was engaged to be married to Miss Martha Theil of Upper Sandusky, Ohio. He also left behind his father, two sisters and a brother.

MSG. Harold M. Swihart is buried in Pleasant View Cemetery, Sycamore, Wyandot County, Ohio.
Harold M. Swihart’s name is not on any memorials in Marion, Ohio.

His selfless actions to his comrades and country were so revered, that Retired Judge Edward J. McLaughlin continued to pray for Swihart’s “immortal soul.” McLaughlin was the former Executive Officer of C Company, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. Judge McLaughlin stated Swihart was a “courageous and honorable soldier.” He said he prayed each day for 40 years for Swihart, and on 24 May 1993, held a Mass in Swihart’s memory, at Holy Cross Church, in DeWitt, New York.

DSC Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Master Sergeant Harold M. Swihart (ASN: RA-15415935), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with an Infantry Company of the 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Master Sergeant Swihart distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Kumhwa, Korea, on the night of 24 May 1953. On that night, a numerically superior enemy force began a probing maneuver in preparation for an attack on a strategic outpost forward of the main battle positions. Upon detection of the enemy, Sergeant Swihart, a squad leader of the security group, quickly moved among his men establishing a base of fire and directing their efforts to insure adequate support for a maneuvering element. As the aggressors continued their advance, Sergeant Swihart went forth to engage them, firing his weapon and hurling grenades to disorganize and retard their assault. As grenades landed amidst his men, Sergeant Swihart immediately threw them back at the enemy and, although completely exposed to the intense fire, he continued his aggressive action until the enemy was repulsed. In retreat, the hostile forces continued to throw grenades, one of which fell in the center of Sergeant Swihart’s squad. Realizing the imminent danger to his men, he sacrificed his life by hurling himself on the missile and absorbing the full impact of the explosion. The courage of Sergeant Swihart throughout this action not only was instrumental in repelling the enemy assault, but also saved the lives of many of his comrades.