Skip to content

This Day in History – June 10, 1969 – The X-15 gets a place in history

10 June 1969: The U.S. Air Force donated the first North American Aviation X-15, serial number 56-6670, to the Smithsonian Institution for display at the National Air and Space Museum. The first of three X-15A hypersonic research rocketplanes built by North American for the Air Force and the National Advisory Committee (NACA, the predecessor of NASA), 56-6670 made the first glide flight and

Read More »
Main Menu
  • Home
  • History
    • About The SSS
    • Headed West
    • Biographies
    • Today in F-100 History
    • SSS Caterpillar
    • Wall of Honor
    • F-100 Information
    • Friends of the Super Sabre
    • N. American F-100 Super Sabre
  • Galleries
  • The Intake
    • About The Intake: Journal
    • The Intake: Journal of the Super Sabre Society – Archives
  • What’s New
  • Contact

Swendner, William John

  • Home
  • Biography
  • Biographies
  • Swendner, William John

William John Swendner

Preferred Name: Bill or Swede
Nickname/Call Sign: Swede
Date of Birth: October 19, 1934
Highest Military Grade: 0-5 – Lieutenant Colonel
Hometown: St. Paul, MN
William "Bill" Swendner - now
Biography
Pilot Information
Album

I shot down the 2nd MIG-21 of the War on July 14, 1966 (Bastille Day) with an AIM-9 Sidewinder, 25 NM northwest of Hanoi.

After retiring from the AF on July 1, 1982, I’ve held several positions including HS teacher, Community College Professor, Building Supply Clerk, and School Bus Driver.

I’m presently residing in Cedar Park, TX with my HS sweetheart to whom I’ve been married since April 27, 1957. We have 4 children, 3 are living in TX and 1 is in California.

Units Assigned

  • 1/1956-5/1956 Aviation Cadet Class 57-L, Lackland AFB, TX
  • 5/1956-10/1956 Primary Flight Training, Moultrie, GA (T-34, T-28)
  • 10/1956-4/1957 Basic Flight Training, Bryan AFB, TX (T-33)
  • 5/1957-10/1957 Advanced Fighter Training: Luke AFB, AZ (T-33, F-84F)
  • 10/1957-9/1961 32nd Fighter Day Squadron/FIS, Soesterberg AB, Netherlands (F-100C, F-102A)
  • 9/1961-4/1965 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron/401st Tactical Fighter Wing/615th Tactical Fighter Squadron, England AFB, LA (F-100D/F)
  • 1964-1965 TDY’s 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Danang AB, RVN (F-100D/F)
  • 5/1965-8/1965 4456 Combat Crew Training Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ (F-4C)
  • 8/1965-2/1966 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Holloman AFB, NM (F-4C)
  • 2/1966-9/1966 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Danang AB, RVN (F-4C)
  • 9/1966-12/1970 4456 Combat Crew Training Squadron/4453 Combat Crew Training Wing, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ (F-4C/D)
  • 12/1970-6/1972 12AF, Stan/Eval, Bergstrom AFB, TX (F-100, F-4C/D)
  • 6/1972-7/1973 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron/3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Osan AB/Kunsan AB, ROK (F-4D)
  • 7/1973-7/1976 PACAF HQ, Chief Fighter Training, Hickam AFB, HI (O-2B)
  • 7/1976-4/1978 TACC Automation Test Group, Bergstrom AFB, TX
  • 4/1978-7/1982 12AF, Stan/Eval, Bergstrom AFB, TX (F-100C/D/F, F-4C/D/E)
  • 7/1/1982 Retired USAF

Awards & Decorations

Flight Info

T-34
T-28
T-33
F-84 F
F-100 C/D/F
F-102 A
F-4 C/D/E
O-2B

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • SOS
  • AF Command & Staff
  • ICAF

Civilian Education:

  • BS, Teaching Certificate, TX

Swender, Bill
Album Slideshow
Slideshow
Click To View

Wall of Honor Location

Our Mission

The mission of the Super Sabre Society is to preserve the history of the F-100 Super Sabre and the men who flew the aircraft.

Follow Us

Copyright © 2025 Super Sabre Society
Website by: Heart and Soul Web Design
Scroll to Top