Baynes Ballew McSwain, Jr.
Sergeant, U.S. Army

On 10 October 1968, Sergeant Baynes Ballew McSwain, Jr. was serving with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, SGT McSwain was a squad leader during a reconnaissance-in-force mission when Company A came under heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire from a fortified Viet Cong base camp. SGT McSwain's platoon was pinned down and the point man lay wounded in an open field completely exposed to the communists' barrage. Although wounded in the leg during the initial volley, SGT McSwain deployed his men to provide covering fire while he crawled into the enemy line of fire to help his stricken comrade. Shielding the man with his body, he administered first aid and was pulling him to safety when he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. SGT McSwain's courageous action and extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Baynes Ballew McSwain, Jr. (ASN: US-54720168), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 12th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant McSwain distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 10 October 1968 as a squad leader during a reconnaissance-in-force mission. His company came under heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire from a fortified Viet Cong base camp. Sergeant McSwain's platoon was pinned down and the point man lay wounded in an open field completely exposed to the communists' barrage. Though wounded in the leg by the initial volley, he immediately deployed his men to provide covering fire and disregarding his safety, crawled further into the enemy line of fire to help his stricken comrade. Shielding the man with his body, he quickly administered first aid and was pulling him to safety when he was mortally wounded by the hostile fusillade. Sergeant McSwain's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 404 (February 5, 1969)

Honors

The name Baynes B McSwain, Jr. is located on Panel 41W Line 41 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Sergeant Baynes Ballew McSwain, Jr. is buried at San Marcos Cemetery in San Marcos, Hays County, TX.

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