Airman & Tarentum Native Drowns In Typhoon In Japan
TARENTUM (KDKA) - The family of a Tarentum native is mourning following his drowning death in Japan.
Senior Master Sgt. James Swartz was part of the 116th Airlift Wing serving in Japan. He was taking pictures of the large waves along the shore with three other airmen just northwest of Okinawa.
The four men were swept into the ocean by Typhoon Phanfone. Swartz's body was recovered a few hours later.
One of the airmen was able to swim back to shore safely. The other two airmen, Master Sgt. Daniel Paschal and Staff Sgt. Joshua Schoenhoff, are still missing. A search for their bodies resumed Tuesday morning.
Swartz was an aerospace propulsion superintendent with the 116th Air Control Wing of the Georgia Air National Guard. He was a native of Tarentum and graduated from Highlands High School.
"He died a hero, all I can say. He saved someone before he can save his life," sister-in-law Lynne Swartz said.
Lynne says James has been a member of the National Guard for the past 25 years. He enlisted in the Air Force at 18.
Lynne says she and her husband Charles, James' brother, first learned of the news Sunday evening. She says James was going to be in Japan until December for a secret mission.
"I know everybody around here that knows him, knows exactly what he was like. A very good person," Lynne Swartz says
Swartz lived in Georgia with his wife and had two daughters and two grandchildren. One of his daughters is also a member of the Air Force. He also leaves behind six siblings.
Joey Reeves of the 116th sent her a message on Facebook: " I am so sorry, Chelsey Renee Swartz... There is nothing I can say, I am so profoundly sad about this. I can only tell you how much you meant to your Dad, and how often we talked about you and your family. You are not alone with your sorrow, and if there is anything you or your family needs, you know by these post that your 116th family will do anything to help."
Lynne says it will take at least a week before James' body returns to the United States. She said she will then head to Georgia to be with his family.
You May Also Be Interested In These Latest News Stories
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
