Paul Swank: Enduring Hero: An American Soldier's Sacrifice in Occupied France

Barbara Ivy Jogerst

Paul Swank: Enduring Hero: An American Soldier's Sacrifice in Occupied France
Format
Paperback
Publisher
Significance Press
Country
Published
24 July 2019
Pages
140
ISBN
9781733031011

Paul Swank: Enduring Hero: An American Soldier’s Sacrifice in Occupied France

Barbara Ivy Jogerst

Lt. Paul A. Swank led a small company of American OSS soldiers and their French resistance allies in German-occupied France in 1944, clandestinely sabotaging German operations, blowing up key bridges to halt the German advance, and allowing the eventual recapture of a key food depot. In doing so he was shot and killed by the enemy near the spa town of Alet-Les-Bains, near Carcassonne, on August 17, 1944. Paul Swank: Enduring Hero, tells his story leading up to this firefight, how OSS (the precursor to the CIA) and its Operation Groups (precursor to Special Forces) came to be, and recounts the touching aftermath, which has seen Lt. Swank over the past 75 years become an enduring symbol of French-American amity, as well as a reminder that freedom must be defended at all costs. Lt. Swank, posthumously awarded the Legion d'Honneur by France, the Distinguished Service Cross and other medals by the U.S. Army, lies where he requested to be buried, in a tomb where he fell. He is honored each Aug. 17 in a moving ceremony.

This item is not currently in-stock. It can be ordered online and is expected to ship in approx 2 weeks

Our stock data is updated periodically, and availability may change throughout the day for in-demand items. Please call the relevant shop for the most current stock information. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Sign in or become a Readings Member to add this title to a wishlist.