Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Shane Clanin Swanberg Collection

Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Iraq War, 2003-2011
- Branch of Service: Marine Corps
- Service Unit/Ship: Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
- Battles & Campaigns: Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
- Location of Service: San Diego, California; Camp Pendleton, California; Twentynine Palms, California; Ramadi, Iraq
- Highest Rank: Lance Corporal
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/113167
Seeking a sense of direction and an opportunity for challenge, Shane Swanberg joined the Marine Corps in October 2002, a couple of years after graduating from high school. According to his mother, Linda Swanberg, serving in the military immediately provided him with the chance to prove himself: recruit training pushed him to the brink of his abilities, but also instilled an incredible sense of pride at having persevered. Following further training, he volunteered to deploy to Iraq and departed in September 2005. Stationed in Ramadi, he was killed when he was struck by an incoming mortar just days after his arrival--and the day before he embarked on his first mission. In her oral history interview, Linda Swanberg describes her son's zest for life, the solace she has found through her close relationships with her son's comrades, and her desire to honor and recognize the individual men and women who have served and sacrificed for their country.
Interview / Recording
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PlayHer son's experiences during recruit training; his soft-hearted attitude toward his gunnery sergeant; challenges he faced turned a boy into a man; his pride in his accomplishment. 00:08:20.0 - 00:11:09.0
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PlayHis pre-deployment leave; enjoying their time together; reassuring his mother that he was highly trained; learning after his death that he had volunteered for deployment. 00:17:31.0 - 00:19:17.0
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PlayShane's impressions of Ramadi; being informed of his death while at work; initial reaction; was in total denial; support of her colleagues. 00:20:05.0 - 00:23:05.0
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PlayHer decision to go to Shane's comrades' homecoming; developing strong bonds with his buddies; their mutual support of each other. 00:27:11.0 - 00:29:15.0
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PlayClassic anecdote about her son, involving him cheering for a contestant at a beauty pageant; he always had a strong sense of fairness and wanted to root for the underdog. 00:32:29.0 - 00:33:56.0
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PlayImportance of recognizing veterans' individual lives and sacrifices. 00:36:09.0 - 00:37:45.0
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PlayHonoring her son by living the life that he cannot; trying to embody his zest for life; remembering all of the fallen, including his buddies struggling with post-traumatic stress. 00:37:44.0 - 00:39:45.0
About this Item
Title
- Shane Clanin Swanberg Collection
Names
- DelBene, Suzan
- Swanberg, Shane Clanin
- Marquardt, Kelly
- U.S. House of Representatives/Suzan DelBene
State of Residence at Time of Collection Donation
- Washington (State)
Headings
- - Swanberg, Shane Clanin
- - Iraq War, 2003-2011 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Marine Corps.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Iraq War, 2003-2011
- Branch of Service: Marine Corps
- Service Unit/Ship: Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
- Location of Service: San Diego, California; Camp Pendleton, California; Twentynine Palms, California; Ramadi, Iraq
- Battles & Campaigns: Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
- Highest Rank: Lance Corporal
- Dates of Service: 2002-2005
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Video: Digital File [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2018-08-22; 2018)
- Manuscript: Biographical information [2 items] -- (collected 2005-09-26)
- Manuscript: Clippings [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2005-09-27)
- Manuscript: Correspondence [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2005-09-14)
- Photograph: Photocopy of Photographic Print [2 items] -- Portrait (collected unknown)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/113167
Collection Notes
- Linda Swanberg was interviewed on-behalf of the veteran.
Online Format
- video