PFC Elmer Franklin Swift was born 23 Feb 1918 in Damascus, Virginia. He was the 4th of 7 children born to James Hamilton and Georgia Ella (Vestal) Swift. His father worked as an oiler for the Smithport Extract Company, in a chemical plant and for American Cynamid. Elmer was unemployed as late as 1940.
Elmer was drafted in May 1941. Sent to Fort George Meade, Maryland for processing he was assigned to D Company 116th Infantry and was promoted to CPL on 11 Jun 1942. He continued to serve with the unit departing for England in September 1942. Elmer was with the unit as it prepared for the amphibious landing that was to be a part of the effort liberate occupied France. Elmer apparently found time to spend more time with the locals after the regiment moved to Devon and he met and married Dorothy Joan Hine and the couple had a son in April 1944. It is unclear if his relationship with Dorothy figured into his demotion to PFC on 10 Jan 1944. PFC Swift departed England for the assault and was killed in action on 6 Jun 1944.
PFC Swift was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Mock Cemetery in Damascus, Virginia.
Dorothy apparently never re-married and died in 2014. Great-grandchildren survive the couple.
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