Matt Swajkowski

As an undergraduate at St. Peter’s College Matt enrolled in the ROTC program and was commissioned (2Lt.) upon completion of his studies in 1969. Entering the Army almost immediately he was assigned to the Field Artillery, taking a three-month course at Fort Sill in Cannon Gunnery.

In Vietnam he was first assigned as a Forward Observer with DCo., 1/52 Infantry, 198th. Inf. Brigade of the 23rd Inf. Div. Wounded after two months, he volunteered as an Aerial Observer and was transferred to HHB Divarty. After serving eight months in this capacity he was reassigned to 1st. Bn, 82nd FA as a battery FDO completing a year overseas.

Upon leaving the service he returned to school to finish a teaching certification program, taught Chemistry at Carteret and Belleville with a 16 year stint in business in between teaching assignments.

Matt enjoys talking to and working with young people. Since retiring, tutoring students in Chemistry and volunteering as a guide at the Memorial gives him further opportunity to stay active and keep fulfilled. He is a life member of DAV, Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Americal Division Veterans Association.