John L. Swigert, Jr.
Aerospace Engineering
Government Service

The world watched anxiously for three days in April 1970 while the astronauts of Apollo 13 worked their way back to earth in a disabled spacecraft. Among the three was a young Colorado alumnus with a reputation for luck and competence, John L. Swigert, Jr.

The son of Dr. and Mrs. J. Leonard Swigert of Denver, John Swigert earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Colorado in 1953, a Master of Science degree in aerospace science from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1965, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Hartford in 1967.

At Colorado the engineering student was a starting guard on Ward's great teams of 1950, 1951, and 1952. He was also president of Phi Gamma Delta, Surnalia, and other groups. He has since been named an Associate Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Pi Tau Sigma and Sigma Tau honoraries, and the Quiet Birdmen.

In 1970 he was awarded the Presidential Medal for Freedom, the City of New York Gold Medal, the City of Houston Medal for Valor, the City of Chicago Gold Medal, and the University of Colorado Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Swigert served as an Air Force fighter pilot from 1953 to 1956, and in the Massachusetts and Connecticut Air National Guards from 1957 through 1965. He became an engineering test pilot for Pratt and Whitney, Inc., and later for North American Aviation, Inc., before joining the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. In 1966 he was a co-recipient of the Octave Chanute Award for his participation in demonstrating that the parachute-like Rogallo Wing was a feasible land landing system for returning space vehicles.

When Apollo 13 crewman Thomas Mattingly was sidelined by an exposure to measles, it was decided that Swigert was qualified to step into his place as command module pilot on 72 hours' notice. Had not a ruptured oxygen system prevented the flight from reaching its destination at Fra Mauro Crater, Swigert would have piloted the command module, as CU alumnus Stuart Roosa did later for the Apollo 14 flight.

After the near-disaster, the Apollo 13 astronauts worked effectively to convert their lunar module "Aquarius" into a lifeboat and returned after six days in space.

Three CU engineering alumni now have made space flights, and a fourth, Vance D. Brand, waits his turn.

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