Francis Joseph McSwiggan
Chief Aviation Machinist’s Mate Francis Joseph McSwiggan was born in Philadelphia, PA on March 11, 1916, to Francis James and Margaret Genevieve Ryan McSwiggan. The family moved to New Jersey sometime after 1922, eventually settling in the Delaware Gardens section of Pennsauken. Francis Joseph McSwiggan graduated from Camden Catholic High School in Camden, NJ in 1933. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1935.
A career Navy man, Frank McSwiggan served during World War II. By 1950, he had married, and made his home with wife Evelyn in Jacksonville, FL, where he was stationed at the Naval Air Station Jacksonville. Chief McSwiggan was serving with Patrol Squadron VP-3, flying the P2V Neptune patrol bomber.
On June 1, 1950, on a training mission from Jacksonville to Argentia, Newfoundland, his plane (#122454) made a stop at Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island. Shortly after take-off from Quonset, the plane developed engine trouble, an engine caught fire, and the plane crashed while attempting an emergency landing. Nine crewmen, including Chief McSwiggan, were killed; four others were seriously injured. He was 34 years old.
Frank McSwiggan was survived by his wife Evelyn; his mother, who had moved to 2823 Carman Street in Camden, NJ; three children; a brother, William; and three sisters, Nancy, Mrs. Margaret Warr, and Mrs. Mary Staffel. He was buried at Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, NJ on June 7, 1950.
P2V Neptune patrol bomber, the aircraft type flown by VP-3 Squadron
Selectee Mothers Form County Club
Camden Courier-Post —
A permanent organization “for the duration” to provide the means for visits of mothers to their sons at distant army camps was effected in Camden last night.
The Selectees’ Mothers Club of Camden county organized in the Hotel Walt Whitman with Mrs. Mae Ford, of 206 Cooper street, originator of the club, as president. The plan is for mother-members to pay dues of 25 cents a week, and this money, added to contributions and revenues from social affairs, is used to send mothers for visits to their inducted sons.
The second mother, Mrs. Alice Harris, of 255 Chestnut street, Audubon, was chosen by lot last night. She will visit her son, Clinton, a private in Battery F, 22nd Coast Artillery. Large contributions were also received.
Officers in addition to Mrs. Ford are Mrs. Ethel Down, 217 North Forty-second streets, Pennsauken, vice president; Mrs. Margaret McSwiggan, 2823 Carman street, recording secretary; Mrs. Ada Kuhs, 4529 Remington avenue, Pennsauken, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Bertha Hunsberger, 932 Newton avenue, treasurer. Mrs. Goldie Turkin, 2365 Kaighn avenue, was appointed as an “Investigation Committee of One.”
F. J. McSwiggan Rites To Be Held Wednesday
Camden Courier-Post —
Solemn requiem Mass will be celebrated at 10.30 a. m. Wednesday in St. Joseph’s R. C. Church, Twenty-ninth street and Westfield avenue, for Chief Aviation Machinist Mate Francis J. McSwiggan, 34, who was among nine navy men killed Thursday in a plane crash at Quonset, R. I., naval air station.
McSwiggan, formerly of 2823 Carman street, lived at Jacksonville, Fla., with his wife, Evelyn. He was the son of Mrs. Margaret McSwiggan, of the Carman street address.
McSwiggan was born in Camden, in Delaware Gardens. A navy veteran of 15 years, he attended parochial schools in Pennsauken and Camden and was graduated from Camden Catholic High school in 1933.
In addition to his mother and widow, he is survived by three children; a brother, William, at home; and three sisters, Nancy, at home; Mrs. Margaret Warr, and Mrs. Mary Staffel, of Camden.
Friends and relatives will meet at 9 a. m. Wednesday in the Carman street home where friends may call today after 7 p. m. Burial will be in U. S. National cemetery, Beverly.