VERNISE AUGUSTUS SWEARINGEN
KITTITAS CO., WA

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Contributed by:  Shelli Steedman 4/20/2007


Vernise A. Swearingen, 43, former Ellensburg resident, died Friday in a
Tacoma Hospital from injuries received earlier last week in an accident at
the Seattle-Tacoma shipyards where he was employed as a rigger.

Plant officials reported that he was crushed while unloading steel plates
when he slacked off on a safety line too soon and the plates tipped over on
him.

A veteran of World War I, Swearingen had enlisted for service in this war
[WWII], but was discharged because of a physical disability.  He was awarded
the Silver Star, Order of the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, and
Meritorious Service Cross for his first World War activity when he was a
member of Company G. 26th Infantry, First Division.

At the Battle of Soissons, his company attacked a machine gun nest, and he
received a wound in the arm from an explosive bullet.  He continued the
charge and captured seven Germans in a trench, forcing them at pistol point
to carry him to a dressing station.

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Vern was the son of Richard Swearingen and Martina Brown.  He married Martha
McEwen on November 15, 1919 in Ellensburg, WA.