Swanson has Purple Heart restored in Monday ceremony

Tuesday, March 11, 2014
By Nick Schneider, Co-Editor

INDIANAPOLIS -- Monday was a special day of reflection, recognition, restoration and honor for Greene County-based Indiana Conservation Officer Greg Swanson, of rural Bloomfield. First Sgt. Swanson had been awarded the Purple Heart for injuries he suffered as a member of National Guard's 387th Military Police Company unit out of New Albany in Afghanistan for injuries sustained in 2012. Swanson remains active in the National Guard, a part-time job he's held for last 20 years. On Jan. 29, Swanson gave his Purple Heart medal to the family of Leonard Wayne McIntosh, just minutes before the funeral for the 88 year old World War II veteran began at Tulip Church of God in rural Bloomfield. Swanson's act was a token of respect and honor for the deceased McIntosh, who never had the distinction of wearing the Purple Heart while he was alive. The gesture by Swanson, who has nearly 20 years of service in the Indiana National Guard, has been described as a selfless act of love and respect for a late World War II veteran, who passed away Jan. 26. Monday morning, in a well-planned and executed surprise plan, Swanson was presented with a duplicate Purple Heart medal by Indiana Adjutant General Martin Umbarger in a ceremony conducted at the offices of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources in Indianapolis. Attending the service was a host of DNR Conservation officers, family members ---- including Swanson's parents, an uncle and aunt and his sister. The effort came as the result of state Natural Resources law enforcement division leadership personnel reading about Swanson's touching gift to the McIntosh family in the Greene County Daily World. That set the wheels into motion with state and national military officials to see that the Purple Heart was promptly restored to the Greene County man. It was another of day of closure for the McIntosh family that was deeply touched by the decision that Swanson had made to give his medal to Leonard Wayne McIntosh. For the complete story go to the following link: http://www.gcdailyworld.com/story/2059245.html To read the original story, when Swanson's medal was presented at the funeral go to the following link: http://www.gcdailyworld.com/story/2047376.html