Photo Collection: James R. Swope Collection
(2d Bn Hq Company, 318th Infantry Regiment)
Lt. Richard Swope
(318th, 2d Bn Hq Co, Communications Platoon)
318th, 2nd Battalion Command Group Photo, 1944
318th, 2d Bn Hq Co
Communications Platoon Roll Photo (Left)
318th, 2d Bn Hq Co
Communications Platoon Roll Photo (Right)
100 Franc note (front) from S.Sgt Richard Swope, Aug. 6th 1944
prior to going into action with signatures of 16 members of the Communications Platoon
100 Franc note from S.Sgt Richard Swope, Aug. 6th 1944 prior to going into action with signatures of
16 members of the Communications Platoon
Staff Sergeant Richard Swope Front row 11th from left, standing beside the 1st Sergeant
pictures are in two frames due to width (he is in left side photo only) Ft. Dix NJ, 1944
Staff Sergeant Richard Swope Front row 11th from left, standing beside the 1st Sergeant;
pictures are in two frames due to width (he is in left side photo only)
For a roster of the above photo, click [
here ]
80th, 318th, 2nd Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Company,
May 1945, Kempten Germany
Standing L to R: 1. Lt. Richard Swope, Communications Platoon;
2. Lt. T.R. Major, A&P Platoon;
3. Major Matt Dwyer, 2nd Battalion 318th Commanding Officer;
4. Lt. J.A. Shufford, S2 Intelligence;
5. Lt. P.W. Foreman, S3 Operations;
6. Capt. R.B. Sessions Jr., Executive Officer
Kneeling L to R: 1. Unnamed; 2. Unnamed Chaplain; 3. Unnamed Medical Officer; 4. Capt. W.G. Spring, S1 Personnel
and HQ Company Commander; 5. Lt. G.F. Spayd, S4 Supply
Provost Marshall Jeep
Lt. & Major Falzone
Bilger-Kempten, Germany 1945
Commander on Jeep - Major Matt Dwyer,
318th 2nd Battalion C.O., Kempten, Germany 1945
S/Sgt James J. McGolgan, Communications Chief,
318th, 2d Bn., HQ Co, Comm Plat
Lt. Richard Swope, Platoon Leader, 318th, 2d Bn., HQ Co, Comm Plat
Kempten, Germany 1945
80th Division, 318th Regiment, 2d Bn, Hq Co
Back row arrow-S/Sgt Richard Swope, Communications Platoon Chief
1st row, seated, 4th from right, Capt. Matt Dwyer, C.O. HQ Co
Freyming, France Dec. 15, 1944
The day before the Battle of the Bulge started
From 318th Infantry History by Robert Murrell p. 41
The 80th Infantry Division, moved into a rest area on 7 December 1944. CT (Combat Team) 318 bivouacked in
Freyming (France) for rest, training, and recreation. The training stresses tank-infantry team tactics,
fighting in the woods, attack against fortified positions (practiced on Maginot Line Forts) and use of demolitions.
The 702d Tank Battalion and the 305th Engineer Battalion assisted in training and demolitions. Care and cleaning
of equipment, showers, medical attention and personal hygiene, completed the training program. The Chaplains,
as well as Special Services Officer were the busiest persons in the Regiment during the rest with daily services,
movies, U.S.O. shows and dances being arranged for all to visit and enjoy. Altogether this time proves to be an
invaluable aid to the lifting of moral(e) as well as the health of the troops. During the period 8-16 December 1944,
inclusive, CT (Combat Team) 318 continued to rehabilitate and train personnel and service equipment.
Richard Swope in Training
1945 Kempten Germany
Lt. Cromley on drums sporting a top hat.
Lt. Perkins on piano also sporting a top hat.
Lt. Richard Swope on base sporting a derby.
1945 French Rivera
Actress and Olympic Gold Medal Ice Skater Sonja Henie was there enjoying the day on a mahogany speed boat.
I guess my Dad charmed his way for a ride, but there is more...
Some years ago my wife was talking to a patron in a local hole-in-the wall bar, when they exchanged names, he
said are you by any chance related to Lt. Swope? When she replied "yes, he is my Father-in-law,"
he laughed out loud and then told her the story of how after the war on the French Rivera how Lt. Swope
had "gotten fresh" with Sonja Henie and got a slapped on the face! Good 'ole Dad never told us
that one!