James Clifford Swisher offers us insight into another chapter of The Greatest Generation. ...I became involved with the techniques of gunnery, fire control instruments, communications and survey...Unknown to me at the time was that this experience was preparing the way for later assignments and an introduction of greater things... ...I looked up and saw the winking wing guns firing at us, the strike of bullets in the water kicking up showers, and yet not a single drum or person was hit... ...I was sure we had sustained casualties and I approached the truck that had been fired upon when the driver, unscathed, crawled out from under the rear if the truck. I couldn't believe it. The windshield was smashed out of the truck. The entire dashboard was in shambles... Foreword Having concluded a major portion of a family genealogy also entitled "...Just a Matter of Time.." it seemed appropriate to also write my personal story consisting of reminiscences of my childhood and my growing up years in Champlin and Anoka, expanded to include my High School years leading to my joining the Minnesota National Guard at age 17 which four years later resulted in five years and ten days of service in WWII. The first part of this story ends with my college years. The second part of the story, "Epilogue" continues with the brief life of Electronics Services, my rejoining the National Guard only to be recalled to active duty during the Korean War. Thence followed my adventures with the Mechanical Division of General Mills Corporation, following which I abruptly changed careers and joined Mutual Service Insurance Companies of St. Paul. My military career ended with my retirement in August of 1969 after 32 years of NGUAS service having attained the rank of Lt. Colonel, Field Artillery and I retired from Mutual Service Insurance Companies, December of 1984. The Epilogue ends with my joining Mutual Service Insurance Companies, October, 1962. I'll leave it to others to continue the narrative beyond that point. Postscript On March 19, 2011 James Clifford Swisher passed away without completing his remarkable life story, Just a Matter of Time. In the Foreword section of his book he wrote that he had planned on ending the telling of his life story in 1962 when he began working at Mutual Service Insurance Companies (MSI) of St. Paul. Although he ran out of time and was unable to complete that portion of his story, the Epilogue completes this unique period of time allowing his book to be published. We are provided with a satisfying finish as exemplified in a long life well lived in service to his country, community, friends, and family. In his writings he has provided another authentic primary source documenting one life lived as a part of the Greatest Generation.
About the Author: James Clifford Swisher was born July 6th, 1920 in Minot, North Dakota. In 1937 joined the 125th Field Artillery WWII, 34th Infantry Division, Minnesota National Guard of Anoka, MN. He served in the South Pacific D-Day Invasions of the Philippines. After the war, he graduated Cum Laude from Hamline University 1949 majoring in mathematics and physics and worked for General Mills research division bombing and navigation systems for B-47 bombers and later as Chief Engineer for Balloon and Aerospace Research Operations. This is the an untold story of previously classified information - it is "Just a Matter of Time."