John F. De Swan

He carried the wounded men clear of the lines under gunfire.

John Francis De Swan was born in Philadelphia on 13 January 1876. He entered the United States Army and served as a private in Company H, 21st Infantry, during the war with Spain in 1898. The regiment formed part of the force sent to Cuba for the campaign against Santiago.

On 1 July 1898, while the American troops were fighting before Santiago, De Swan assisted in bringing wounded soldiers back from in front of the lines. The men needing help lay in ground still swept by enemy fire. Recovering them required the rescuers to expose themselves rather than wait for the firing to end.

His conduct was recognised by the Medal of Honor, issued on 22 June 1899. The citation emphasised his assistance in the rescue of the wounded under heavy fire. His award was therefore associated with the practical work of saving men during the battle, rather than the capture of a position or a separate attack.

De Swan continued in military service after the campaign. He ultimately attained the rank of first lieutenant, a substantial progression from the private whose conduct had been recognised in Cuba. His later life took him to California.

He died in 1956 and was buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery at San Bruno. The cemetery's account of its notable burials identifies both his original infantry service and his later officer rank. His decoration preserves the record of a young soldier who went towards wounded men in the exposed ground before Santiago.