Remembering a Lowell Veteran: James W. Sweeney (Navy Cross, Silver Star, Air Medal)
Posted by Marie on 11 Nov 2009 at 07:44 am | Tagged as: History, Lowell
Navy veteran and WWII hero James W. Sweeney of Lowell died just a year ago - one of that fading group of veterans who served flag and country then returned home to another world, another life and other duties. He never viewed himself as heroic yet his actions within a span of just ten days earned him two of the highest decorations awarded by the military for heroism - the Navy Cross and the Silver Star. He and his “brothers” deserve our remembrance on this 2009 Veterans Day. Last year at this time I posted this memory of James W. Sweeney - his life and his actions in July, 1945.
A Hero in a Lowell “Band of Brothers”
Posted by Marie on 13 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Greater Lowell, History, Lowell Edit This
I can’t let this Veterans Day week go by without writing about Navy veteran and WWII war hero James W. Sweeney who died last week. Jim was a quiet guy and typical of his generation he said very little about his war experiences - only giving bits and pieces of the tale when asked by his young cousins.
Jim was one of the St. James Street Sweeneys so well-known in the Sacred Heart neighborhood. After his first year at Lowell Technological Institute he left his chemistry studies to join the Navy as an aviation cadet. A year later he was commissioned a flight officer and served in Air Group 94 flying off the carrier USS Lexington. He piloted a Curtiss “Helldiver” - a two-man dive bomber. This was a tough plane to fly - overweight and overloaded it was typically unstable. Jim not surprisingly accepted its shortcomings - “I liked it, you flew what you had to fly.” One of his most harrowing experiences involved returning to land on the carrier’s deck having cut throttle only to be waved off because the deck crew hadn’t cleared the previous plane (his skipper’s) from the arresting wire. Averting a certain deck disaster Jim went full throttle knowing his plane would cockscrew into the sea. The plane plunged into the water upsidedown with only the tail visible. The engine lost from the violent impact Jim was left to free his injured gunner from the rear cockpit and await a destroyer rescue. His eyes injured from the crash - the flight surgeon grounded him for a month. He later returned to action and bombed two Japanese battleships for which he was highly decorated.
A front page story on the November 24, 1945 Lowell SUN tells the tale under the headline “Lowell Flier Sank Two Jap Battleships.” …”A 21-year old Navy pilot …today emerged as one of the city’s most highly decorated heroes, and had to his credit the practical sinking of two Japanese battleships… He is Lieut. (JG) James W. Sweeney, USNR, holder of the Air Medal, Silver Star and the Navy Cross, the last being the second highest decoration awarded for heroism… The specific feat which won him the award - the Navy Cross - occured last July during a carrier-based bombing attack on elements of the Japanese fleet in the Yokosuka navy yard on Honshu Island, Japan.” Ten days later a similar feat - “gallantry and intrepidity in action” - against major units of the Japanese fleet among the islands of the inland sea earned him the Silver Star.
After the war Jim returned to LTI for his BS degree and a Masters from the Virginia Tech Institute. He served most of his professional career as the Chief Chemist and Plant Manager for Pellon Corporation in Lowell. His brothers also served - Charles as a Navy pilot-in-training at the end of WWII, Dr. Felix as a Navy surgeon on the NSS Haven off the coast of Korea, Dr. Tom as a Flight Surgeon, USAF and the youngest Frank in the USAF-ROTC at LTI before transferring to MCP. Their father Jim was a combat infantryman in the 79th Infantry Division in WWI.
Jim died last week (November 5, 2008) quietly with strength, courage and spirituality - the way he lived his life. He will be missed. RIP.
I did not see his obituary printed in The Sun. Does anyone know where I could read it?
From the SUN 11.06.08:
James W. Sweeney
James W. Sweeney Beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather NASHUA, NH James W. Sweeney, 84, formerly of Lowell and Tewksbury, died on November 5, 2008, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of the late Marian (Roberts) Sweeney who died on Feb. 27, 2005. They had celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. James was born in Lowell on January 23, 1924, the son of the late James A. and Agnes (Blanchard) Sweeney. He graduated from the Sacred Heart Grammar School and Lowell High School. He received a Bachelors degree from Lowell Technological Institute and a Masters degree from the Institute of Textile Technology in Charlottesville, VA. After graduating, Mr. Sweeney returned to Lowell to work at the Lowell Technological Institute Research Foundation, and later worked at the R.T. Vanderbilt Company in Norwalk, CT. He retired as Chief Chemist and Plant Manager after 30 years with the Pellon Corporation of Lowell. During WWII, James was a Naval Aviator, and was with the Air Group 94 aboard the USS Lexington during the final months of war. While serving, he received several awards and recognitions among them being the Navy Cross. Mr. Sweeney’s service to his country during WWII was very important to him. He kept in contact with his Naval comrades and traveled across the country with his wife attending U.S.S. Lexington Reunions. He was very handy and enjoyed refurbishing homes. He also enjoyed making model ships. At age 81, Mr. Sweeney learned to use a computer and spent hours researching World War II and Naval Ships. Mr. Sweeney loved listening to Irish music and Dean Martin songs. He loved dancing and was a great dancer. Most of all, he was a loving grandfather, and together with his wife Marian, they were the “Worlds Best Grandparents!” He is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Donna (Sweeney) Sullivan and her husband, Michael Sullivan of Lowell, Kathleen (Sweeney) LaBrecque and her husband, Stuart LaBrecque of Pelham, NH; two sisters, Mrs. Catherine Redding of Lowell, and Sister Teresa M. Sweeney O.S.F. of Anapolis-Goias, Brasil; one brother, Dr. Thomas Sweeney of Lowell; and a close cousin, Joseph Sweeney of Lowell. He was the brother of the late Dr. Felix Sweeney, Dr. Eugene Sweeney, Francis Sweeney, and Charles Sweeney. He is also survived by four sisters-in-law; Ruby Sweeney, Donna Sweeney, Eleanor Sweeney, Patricia Sweeney; and many cousins, nephews, and nieces. Other survivors include his seven grandchildren and their spouses, Erin Heise and her husband, Robert of Chelmsford, James W. Sullivan of Lowell, Meghan Stamm and her husband, Russell of Dedham, Elizabeth Marrocco and her husband, Robert of Londonderry, N.H., Nicole LaBrecque of Chelmsford, Christopher LaBrecque of Manchester, N.H., and Matthew LaBrecque of Nashua, N.H.; five great-grandchildren, Ryan Heise and Caitlin Heisem, both of Chelmsford, and Connor Stamm, Brendan Stamm, and Patrick Stamm, all of Dedham; and his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Walter and Karen Roberts of Brattleboro, VT, Frederick and Theresa Roberts of Chelmsford, and Paul Roberts of Kennebunkport, ME, Rita Coughlin of Dracut, Eileen Shea of Derry, N.H., Sr. Helen Roberts O.S.F. of Quincy, and Mary Alice Curran of Dracut. SWEENEY In Nashua, NH, November 5, 2008 at his home. James W. Sweeney, 84, beloved husband of the late Marian (Roberts) Sweeney. Family and friends may call at the FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL, on FRIDAY from 3 until 8 P.M. Mr. Sweeney’s Funeral will take place from the Funeral Home on SATURDAY MORNING at 9 o’clock, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10 o’clock at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, 155 E. MERRIMACK ST. LOWELL. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Mr. Sweeney’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Mass Chapter, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472. ARRANGEMENTS BY FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS, 978-459-9222.
Thank you for posting his obituary notice.No question,a life well lived.