Sigvard Christ Swanberg

Sigvard Christ Swanberg "Swanie" (Ret. Lt. Col.), age 91, of Oscoda died on Friday, July 22, 2011, at the Saginaw VA Hospital.
Also known as "Sig," he was born in Chicago, Ill., on Nov. 20, 1919, to the late Christ and Signe Swanberg (nee Andersson). Swanie enlisted in the Army Air Force on May 2, 1942, and qualified for the Aviation Cadet program and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. and awarded his Silver Flying Wings on Aug. 31, 1943.
He flew 30 missions over Germany out of England in the B-17 "Flying Fortress" and then flew in the Pacific Theater in the Far East. Swanie had over 10,000 flying hours as a pilot and instructor pilot. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, five air medals, five commendation medals, as well as many others.
Swanie married Naomi Hughes on Nov. 6, 1948. She preceded him in death in January of 1989. He retired as a Lt. Col. in June 1971 and moved to Oscoda, where he had been stationed earlier. Swanie was a life member of the Daedalians, D.A.V., 96th Bomb Group and 8th AF Historical Society. He also started the Huron Chapter of the Air Force Society and was president and member until it joined the Alpena Chapter.
Swanie served on the Oscoda Zoning Board which is now the Oscoda Planning Commission for 35 years. He had been a member of the Oscoda Yacht Club since 1975, Kiwanis Club since 1973 including serving as president from 1978-1979. Swanie served nearly 30 years in the Air Force and was present when Wurtsmith became a Strategic Air Command base (SAC) and also when the base officially closed. He proudly served his country and community with honor and enjoyed singing, gardening and his homemade bread and butter pickles.
Swanie is survived by his daughter, Sandra Jo (Dennis) DeForge of Hadley, Mass.; son, Steven (Debra) Swanberg of Memphis, Tenn.; and grandchildren, Jessi and Chris. He is also survived by his brother, Fred Swanberg of Chicago; and sister, Myrtle Samuelson of Chicago. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Dwight; and sister, Elsie.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 28, from 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 2 p.m. at Buresh Funeral Home in Oscoda. The Rev. Rob Nordin will officiate and interment at Arlington National Cemetery will take place at a later date. Condolences may be offered at www.bureshfuneralhomes.­com.