Nick Swyka Receives Long-Awaited Purple Heart

Nick Swyka accepts his medal.

Nick Swyka Receives Long-Awaited Purple Heart

On July 10^th, 2008, Nickolas Swyka, former Chesapeake City resident, was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds he suffered while serving our country during World War II. Major General Frank Vavala spoke of Nick’s valor before pinning on the medal.

Guy Gravino, a service disabled veteran, explained how Nick was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge: “Fearsome fighting continued until the battle’s end on January 25^th,1945, the time frame when PFC Swyka was wounded. On Christmas Day, 1944, while standing in a chow line with fellow troops waiting for their hot Christmas meal, German artillery opened up, sending their own deadly gifts to the Americans they had tangled with for the last 10 days.

“According to Frank Meyer, a medic for the 1^st Bn, 395^th IR, while in that chow line, PFC Swyka was hit by shrapnel in the arm and back. Meyer bandaged PFC Swyka, stopped the bleeding, and gave him a shot of morphine and sulpha drugs to fight infection. PFC Swyka refused to go to the aid station because the 395^th was short of fighting men. Their unit was surrounded, with fighting on all sides. Doc Meyer further explained that they were cold, hungry and scared, but they were family and wanted to stay together. Although late, we assembled here today to thank Nick for his service & sacrifice.”

During an interview Nick said: “I was the last one in the chow line when the Germans started shelling us. Somehow they had spotted us and I ran for cover but couldn’t escape from that shrapnel. I was hit in the cheek, the wrist, and the back. The medic wanted me to go off to the aid station but I told him ‘No! You take care of me right here.’ I couldn’t leave the outfit because we were short-handed. I wouldn’t leave till we could all go together.”

Thus Nick’s wounds were not reported to the proper authorities at the time, therefore the Purple Heart was not awarded. However, over recent years LTG Steven Blum had been working on Nick’s behalf to have his medal presented, and now, after 64 years, Nick’s courage under fire has been recognized.

The impressive ceremony was held at the Middletown Nelson Armory and was attended by Nick’s wife, Mildred, and many family members and friends. Several high-ranking army officers and enlisted men were present to honor Nick’s bravery. Nick acknowledged his award by talking briefly to the appreciative audience, expressing how honored he was to receive his country’s purple heart.