Staff Sergeant Greggory Swarz saving the world
Andy11M sends us a link to the story about Air Force Staff Sergeant Greggory Swarz who rescued three French pilots from the flaming wreckage of a Greek F-16 aircraft which crashed at a Spanish airbase during a NATO exercise. The French government honored Sergeant Swarz’ courage with the award of their Legion d’Honneur medal at the Paris Airshow yesterday;
“Once I got closer, I realised there were still a couple of people that were saveable,” said Swarz. “I saw some stuff that shouldn’t really be talked about. Some pretty horrific things.”
Swarz ran into the inferno, burning his hands as he dragged three people from the fire, rolling them on the ground to put out the flames.
The third had lost a hand, so Swarz made a tourniquet with his belt.
“It was horrible. I couldn’t breathe because of the heat and the smoke,” said Swarz, adding that he was “very honoured and nervous” to be receiving the bravery award.
“It’s human nature, there’s people suffering, you’ve got to do as much as you can,” he said.
The conflagration did claim the lives of 11 others and injured about 20 people.
Category: Air Force
BRAVO ZULU, Warrior!
We give the French grief, and they indeed have their faults. But ingratitude doesn’t seem to be one of them.
Well done, SSgt Swarz. Damn well done.
Like Hondo said we certainly bust balls with the French, and their government is often a source of aggravation on the international political scene but the people of France and her military have long been gracious and grateful to Americans in my experience.
To young SSgt. Swarz, you represent that best and brightest ideal of American men and women. Service over self at the risk of your own life, an impressive showing and a job very well done indeed!
Word. I couldn’t say it better.
Thanks a lot to the very courageous Sergeant Greggory Swarz. But are you serious ?? “their government(french) is often a source of aggravation on the international political scene ” . Each time the US Gouvernement interpose in a country it i the mess during a long time. The US government (especially Bush) are the trouble makers of the middle east since a long time.
If you think the issues we have today in the middle east only go back ten years to the Bush regime then you are totally and completely ignorant of socio-economics and world history. MANY of the issues we face can be traced in a straight line back to European Imperialism over a several hundred year span. We are just the new players on the scene and apparently a convenient scape-goat to morons like yourself.
You know … it’s funny, I read all the time about how snobby and standoffish the French people are towards Americans visiting their country. However, I’ve been to France multiple times over the years (once for several weeks) and my experience has been exactly the opposite. I have always received a warm welcome, and met great people, everywhere I went … big city, or small town.
Agreed, it’s an odd thing really but I sometimes think we pick on the French like one picks on a sibling, while there is always potential for discord there is also potential for the joy of family.
I think that whole “French snobbish to boorish Americans” came about during the DeGaul era (60s-70s), and deserved or not, it’s never gone away.
I was in Paris about 15 years ago with a large group. One person in the group wanted to visit the cemetery at Normandy. Someone at the hotel called a relative in the area. Said relative took off work, came and got the guy and drove him there, gave him a guided tour and helped him find a relative’s grave site. Then took him to other sites as well. Three day excursion, no charge.
My HS French teacher was born in France. She said the people who were in the hot zones during the war won’t let the new generations forget.
But my experience in Paris-we are still the ugly Americans.
I always found the French to be great people OUTSIDE of Paris! And just for the record, in the book, the ugly American was the good guy.
France has Paris and the US has New York.
I have been to France many times – all over except for the southwest part and the Med coast. I always enjoyed the place and the people. I was only mistreated by one guy, a taxi driver in Paris. I have had a lot worse in the States.
While you are busting France’s balls, look up how many French died in Vietnam, WW2 and WW1. Compare to the US and Great Britain. DeGaulle was a prick but France has been a solid friend to America for more than 200 years and they have paid with lives.
I agree. I found that if you make an effort to communicate in French – even just hello, please and thank you – instead of being a crass American assuming everyone speaks English, and you’re polite and friendly, most people will return the sentiment.
I accompanied my daughter’s French class on a trip 7 years ago, my sister went along as well. One night the two of us had dinner in a little Paris restaurant with outdoor seating, a classic experience. We refused the English menu and muddled through the French one. Those around us had fun helping us out and when we were finished, the chef came out and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
When in France and all that. What’s the point of travel if you just take your culture with you and don’t try to experience the new one? It didn’t take much, just simple polite phrases and making an effort.
Kudos to Sgt Swarz. Anyone who runs into a fire to save people is a badass hero in my book.
Three pilots in an F16?
Kudos to the French…they got it right.
Pure guts. We need more like him.
(He’s cute, too.)
An American airman, rescuing French pilots, after the crash of a Greek aircraft, at a Spanish airbase…
That really is an international story!
Kudos to the Staff Sergeant and others who helped.
Well there you go!
This is why we have the greatest and bravest military in the world!
BZ SSGT!
Well done young trooper, well done.
Another reminder that the younger generation is not all self absorbed and consumed with useless things.
His ability to keep calm and do the right thing when the SHTF like that says volumes about the kind of Warrior he is. BZ once again, SSgt !
Kudos to the SSgt. Still trying to figure out where the 3rd person was sitting. Last I knew, F-16’s came in the single or two seat trainer.
In the incident, the Greek aircraft apparently crashed into multiple parked aircraft. I’m guessing the French pilots were in or near at least two of the parked aircraft involved.