The Lost American Ace Who Terrorized Japan on His Very First Flight
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
- Early in the morning of April 7, 1943, with the Pacific theater of World War 2 in full swing, a 22-year old American rookie pilot named James Elms Swett was about to get his first taste of action. His debut mission was to lead a small division of Grumman F4F Wildcat fighters on patrol over the Russell Islands, just off Guadalcanal, recently taken by the US.
Stopping to refuel, he received an alarming message: hurtling towards the American ships docked at the port of Tulagi were 150 Japanese planes, a force equal in size to that of the first wave of the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor. Were it to be successful, it would crush the American presence in the region and turn the tide of the war back in favor of the Japanese.
Without blinking an eye, the young pilot leapt into action. Racing to defend his country’s fleet, his tiny squadron found itself up against a massive group of Japanese Aichi D3A dive bombers, known to the Allies as “Vals”, on their way to destroy the harbor. As the adrenaline kicked in, the plucky first-timer lined up one of the bombers in his sights before bringing it crashing down into the ocean below. Pure chaos followed, and Swett became separated on his own. As the frantic dogfight thundered around him, sharpshooter Swett would have to pull off an epic, almost impossible WW2 achievement to save the American fleet. But first, he found himself staring into the eyes of a Japanese tail gunner ready to fire…
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As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Docs sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect. I do my best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Docs is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas. -
If you haven't seen Mr. Swett on the old History Channel Dogfights show, he was quite the character. Mixing wry humor with sincere feelings for the rear gunner he saw die from his guns, James E. Swett showed he was a true human being we could all relate to. RIP, good sir.
The gunner for the Val dive bomber?
My dad recalled the face of a kamikazee trying to sink his boat. The bow gunner put a round in the pilot's belly which caused him to pull the stick at 5he last moment.
The greatest generation, who gave us the people in charge now. If Swett was alive today he would be disgusted by the world he fought so bravely and selflessly for. A real hero.
What. The world back than was horrible with 2 ww, korea, vietnam etc etc. Today we have peace. Apart from a conflict here and there and yes. Thing look terrifying but are way better than in the olden days. Obviously when Trump was re-elected shit would hit the fan once more but he won’t.
Agreed 100%, but it was not the Greatest Generation that gave us this generation of Nimrods, it was the Boomers who produced these losers.
@@ai-d2121I'm Irish so have no dog in the fight but even I know that Trump was the only recent president who didn't start a war. Why do you ignore that fact and not give respect where it's due in place of trying him over a hypothetical imaginary scenario? Serious question without a care either way. Genuinely interested in the psychology of tribal thinking and the ability to bend reality (facts) to best suit a person's own world view.
@@taglor Thus a president who didn’t start a war? No. The betrayed his friends and allies by pulling out of Afghanistan leaving the mess for Biden to pick up and the Taliban taking over again. I am not sure what makes you tick but a criminal like Trump should not one of them.
The ones in charge now are the deep state and cabal. They worship satin and trace their DNA to satin
What a heroic pilot. I read of his exploits in the battle of Guadalcanal but this life history was great.
A real life JOHN WAYNE!
Awesome.
USS LEXINGTON was sunk at Coral Sea and was not present at Midway.
her replacement is in Corpus Christie Texas as a museum ship
The replacement was not at Midway. Yorktown, Enterprise and Hornet were at Midway.
When you do a Documentary, Please do your research.
USS Lexington was not at the battle of Midway. It was sunk during battle of the Coral Sea. My history teacher was one of the sailors climbing down the ropes in the famous photo of it sinking.
Do Y'all Homework, Semper-Fi, Mac'
Yeah, a huh? moment. Hey, if you're making history vids, gonna flub a couple.
Mark Felton doesn't make these kinds of errors
Always so well told. Always great stories. Amazing actions and bravery of WWII fighters.
Not just ace in a day 😮ace in one sortie💪🏽
All done in a Wildcat- which wasn't a particularly good fighter, which is why the US Navy upgraded to Hellcats and Corsairs, the latter Swett flew once he'd recovered from his ditch in the ocean.
If you are going to keep reporting on these kinds of stories, PLEASE stop calling it by its wrong name. Its JUST MEDAL OF HONOR.
Thank you! I cannot stand when uninformed people continually add the incorrect term congressional to the Medal Of Honor. The Medal Of Honor is awarded by congress. Congress does not own it.
And learn how to properly pronounce words, like CaNal. Annoying narrator on more than one video.
"Congressional" sounds more thrilling. lol
It's called the congressional medal of honor for a reason
@@jeffborden9529
Yeah, CONgress wanted to get in on the action!
I met and got to know him back in the 90's. While many Aces are/were still a bit cocky, Jim was always reserved and just a generally nice guy.
I certainly pray that America still produces men like these!
You do. They just aren't famous yet.
@@dishusse Good point!
He's what refer to as a Badass.
I think he meant Yorktown, not Lexington. Also, how did these guys fit their balls in these planes?
That’s why they had ball ⚽️ ⚽️ gunners
Semper Fi, Marine!
🤗🙏💪🏆🎖️
Thank you for sharing
To 502 Retail Partners: The person who referred to the Medal of Honor as the Congressional Medal of Honor was correct if you refer to the decoration in the past tense. The Title of the decoration was the Congressional Medal of Honor from the Civil War until the early 1970s when the title was changed to the Medal of Honor.
Lexington was at the Battle of the Coral Sea not Midway. She was sunk in the battle.
Wonder why President Roosevelt wife had great love for the USMC because I do too God bless the veterans 🇺🇸
ALL MY BROTHERS AND MYSELF THANK U SIR U R THE MAN
A true dedicated badass! Thank you for your service sir!
The madlad struck fear into their hearts before he knew which was the right pedal.
Surprising the Navy did not send him home to train more pilots.
We stand on the shoulders of such giants as Colonel Swett.
Thank you Sir !
Lexington was sunk in the battle of Coral Sea. Why is there always a huge historical mistake in every last one of your videos???
This documentary says that he joined the US Navy. However, it also says that after he was promoted from 2nd to 1st lieutenant, he was promoted to captain. It also said he finished his career as a colonel. How did he finish his career as a colonel, if he was in the Navy?
The account I read said 110 Zeros and 67 Vals attacked. 87 US fighters were in the air to stop them. Swett supposedly had engine problems and was far behind the other Americans. While the Zeros mixed with the 86 other Americans, Swett approached the Vals without being noticed. Thus, he got the opportunity to shoot down the 7 confirmed Vals (he said he shot down 8). There wasn't a lot of American shipping at Tulagi and the Vals only sunk a small freighter. I don't think this battle saved the American "Fleet". He did probably save an American ship from being hit, but there were no carriers in Tulagi harbor on that day.
Excellent Presentation thankyou
Legend 🫡
What a American legend, there should be more men like that in the world men like him, and also Audie Murphy, Alvin c York and Roy benavidez and many more medal of honor recipients
I was waiting to hear, how the other two pilots, made out that day.
Pop, sure miss you. You're my sorely missed, WW11 Hero in the Pacific and ever since. BTW, tried hard but I never could fill your shoes. See ya' soon for 18 with no "beaches", six Mulligans and Duke Ellington blaring in a gold golf cart. I'll buy lunch, you leave the tip.
the early A6m were limited in ammunition. They could only down a few aircraft before running out.
RIP Brave Warrior! Slow salute rendered.
Seattle has been on fire with war heroes!
Somehow I get the feeling the Lexington wasn’t here…..
Lexington was sunk in the Battle of The Coral Sea, the month before Midway.
Great video
If Swett was such a hero, why didn't the Marines name a camp after him? Probably the same reason the Air Force didn't name and air force base after Dick Bong. Bummer of a name...
Yeah... Richard Bong was quite the hero in many ways. His total, true, story would be quite the vid. I have read several books on his exploits and he was always very calculated in what he did. which is why he got so many kills without being killed....
I think he is pronouncing the island with two lls at the end
Good 1 DARK DOCS.
Officially it's called CMOH--Congressional Medal of Honor. It has to be approved by congress before it can be awarded. Technically.
Lexington was lost at Coral Sea….not at Midway
Heck of a man and flier
VMF-221 did not defend USS Lexington at Midway. The Lady Lex was sunk at Coral Sea. And I do not think that any Marine F4F's defended any USN carrier at Midway; they were defending Midway Island.
Merica 💪🇺🇸
Medal of Honor
Congress has nothing to do with it
fucking hate that
The back bone of this country.
A true badass! But alas, what is the nature of war? If there were no wars would we have or need badasses?
Well, let’s see. Marine General Smedley Butler wrote a book titled “ War is a Racket” General Butler was twice the recipient of The Congressional Metal of Honor. This was in 1939. So if going to war is a money making scheme does it apply to WW II?
First: how was it possible for a war torn Germany, after WWI to build a highly mechanized military, that was able to project intimidation through the region? - in just 21 years! Where did Hitler get his financial assistance? Answer: From banks that would capitalize in the event of war. ( A likely proposition given the mind set of Hitler). Who helped Hitler rebuild factories to assist in the actual building of military hardware? Answer: American and European corporations.
What about the war with Japan? Do you think there was absolutely no provocation, as Americans were led to believe at the time by their government?
The seeds of war are a great injustice and a great lie! When you dig into the history, it becomes crystal clear that indeed war is a racket.
Look beyond the mind control that takes place on your TV every night. For example the only thing they know about 9/11 is what they learned on TV. But when you actually look into it the evidence points 180 degrees away from the official narrative. On matters of war it is always the same. The TV is used to perpetuate the big lie!
For example, Putin was provoked to invade Ukraine. The war profiteers could not pray any harder for their efforts to trigger a much wanted invasion a subsequent war. A war the took billions from American taxpayers and gave it to the war profiteers after is was laundered in the Ukraine proxy war.
Title misinforming BS.- "Lost"???
When men were men, thank God!
Fret not. The world is about to change. Research Nesara/Gesara!
You have to understand how remarkable this was.
1. he was able to go to college during the Depression and its slow recovery.
2. he was like Jimmy Stewart who loved aviation and took up the expensive endeavor prior to WW2.
3. at the time, it wasn't like today when people are given months and months of training on the same plane that would be flown in combat. In the European Theatre, new model planes would arrive and existing pilots would be expected to immediately fly into combat without familiarization flights.
Aircraft are a lot more complicated now, one slip at mach speeds can ruin a great pilots day.
It’s great to know these stories that not a lot of people learn about in the books crap I wish I had learned more in HS history even pushed my teacher for Korean War but no 🙄. Dark docs you have be awesome from the start of you channel thank you for teaching us these great moments in history and the great men that fought for our freedom! I will be using your platform for my goddaughters history private lessons with me 👍🏼
People always slag school and their teachers, but I can tell you from long experience: there isn't time for every detail; school teaches you to read and think. No offense to you personally, but literacy and critical thinking seem to be in short supply these days.There are plenty of books on this theater of war. Swet was awesome! Just incredible. Thanks for teaching your god daughter when she's not in school. Parents and books (and videos) make the dufference. BTW my dad was a Marine in the Okinawa battle and my nephew is a Marine Corps aviator.
Swett (sp) and "difference". :)
I want to encourage you with telling these things to that daughter! I had pretty good history teachers thru school in the 60's and 70's (got accused of sucking up and being teacher's pet.) But it was my dad who gave me the love and curiosity of history. He told stories he knew gathered from family, movies and books. He told them around the supper table and lit that fire of curiosity in me very young.
Thanks to one history teacher in 9th grade I also got the mental jolt that what was in the newspaper today was now history. And I learned that I better pay attention. Didn't take long to notice news differed from paper to paper. Thankfully, that same history teacher commented on journalists editororializing their personal views to affect public opinion.
My dad is still holding on with us and we still have lively conversations about history and current events. I have done the same with my children and grandchildren. It helps the frustration of today's world to know that at the least knowledge is passed on to the future generations we love.
@@tonybarnes3858 thank you for your response I agree just some years it was repeating itself when that page hadn’t been open and so unfortunate. Th a you for you dads service as well your nephew what does he fly or a maintenance? My best friend is a ch-53 maintenance guy in California be funny might be in the same squadron or next to each other haha
@@castironskilletgranny I was very fortunate bec of my grandfather and his brother both served Korea and ww2 as well other family from those wars had always teached me about history, wars, political, government, but what has always got me the most is wars before them and how tactics had evolved, the way people lived etc was so great to hear it from them learned so much. Always was and still am a history nut I’m glad I have some of the books they gave me before they passed I cherish them.
All in a days work. Thank you for being there and doing what was needed, and having the ability to survive!!
Interesting. 2 of the very best WW II pilots came from Seattle. Sweat & Major Greggory "Pappy" Boyington.
I love hearing these types of stories. Semper Fi Colonel
Truly a hero. The Greatest Generation America has had.
Become an Ace in 9 minutes, everybody "are you crazy?" James E. Swett "hold my beer"
You've probably never heard the name George Preddy Jr. He did it in 3 minutes. He met a horrible end, which is why you've most likely never heard the name of the leading P51 ace.
Hell of a man!!! I'm glad he was on our side!!
I very much enjoyed your video and I gave it a Thumbs Up
I didn't see any feminism fighting in these clips
who hurt you?
@thecoon3193 Women said they wanted equality. They can fight the next war for equality. Men fought them up until now. Now only women get to fight. Good luck ladies
@@thecoon3193 feminist are hilariously
@@thecoon3193 who didn't teach you?
@thecoon3193 look at you. Your still a beast who can't evolve.. you think you can manipulate men with beauty and men can't manipulate women with force.... who are you... like what world do you live in
I usually enjoy your content. However, your clickbait title of "The Lost American Ace..." is misleading. Not once did you say he was lost in this clip.
Val dive bombers didn't "dogfight," they stayed in rigid formation. To say one guy saved the fleet is quite a stretch as well. Good pilot though.
USMC naval aviators really kicked ass!
All that in a ancient F-4F.
amazing
Semper Fi, Marine 🙂
These guys knew how to have fun.
Ace in a day.
A welcome Addition to ValHalla!
Wow!!! Its really inspiring story about the courage and bravery of an American.pilot.❤❤❤
Back when men were true hero’s. God bless him and all who served
In WW2 Naval Air Station Corpus Christi was a giant flying airboat base. I lived there for 15 years and inventoried HVAC equipment for a PMI program and was allowed to enter buildings that had been closed and locked in the 50's. I saw documents from the war and also saw Playboys hidden in desk drawers from the 40's and 50's. I had to leave them there as it was company policy!
RIP Sir and thank you for your heroic service
Badass. You should do a video on Custers brother. Deserves to be remembered.
Thomas Custer
He defended the USS Lexington at Midway???? Maybe the narrator needs a history book.
Another hero, from the well deserved “ Greatest Generation of all time. I am proud to be the son and son in law of 2 more brave men
Frank Dolce & John Manz who in-listed for the sole purpose of fighting for freedom for family and future generations under the flag of the greatest country the world has ever seen, USA. I am eternally grateful for warriors like Cap. Sweet, Cap Winters, Sargent Baselone and many unknown, unknown men and women who have answered thecall
God Bless the USA
So sloppy. The writing on this channel is so bad. Example: the USS Lexington was sunk as a result of the battle of the Coral Sea and was not present at Midway as stated in this video. So sloppy.
Duty, Honor, Country
If it had not been a "Val" , And he downed a "Betty" instead, Would it be a "sweaty Betty"?
The Lexington was definitely NOT at Midway!
Complimentary algorithm enhancement comment!😊
Respect
the lexington was not in the battle of midway
This ace wasted no time at all.
Your over-ripe commentary does not add to the credibility of your story
"Semper-Fi"
As a naval aviator he was never promoted to first lieutenant!
🇺🇸
Defense of the Lex at Midway?!
On his very first flight? . . .
Marines do not wear dress whites,
Ace in a day.
Post war assessment of Swett's mission relieved that he had actually shot down only 1 or 2 Japanese aircraft. This outcome as compared to what a pilot may have claimed was very common during post WWII assessment of what actually occurred.
How about a source for this.
How many times do we have to say it:? The award is the "Medal of Honor", not the "Congressional Medal of Honor". (7:19 in the video).
I've heard CMH my entire life. I'm 60. Educate me.
💖🛐
The USS Lexington was not in the battle of Midway. The Lexington was sunk in battle of the Coral Sea on May 8th 1942.
Stupid still shot intro...
2:50 Lexington wasn’t at Midway she was sunk at the battle of coral sea
Wait a minute. I thought the Lex went down at Coral Sea. Enterprise, Hornet and Yorktown was at Midway. Did I hear him wrong or sumpin?
I'm not an American, but watching this makes me feel so good, amazing hero 👏
I salute you, sir Sweat 🫡
I just love these short videos showing the us military at its best.