Alonzo Swann v U S Navy
Jan 01, 1992OUTCOME: VICTORY after 49 years
Alonzo Swann, a 19 year old African American in the US Navy in Oct 1944 was a steward's mate serving on the USS Intrepid during WWII. Although not a gunner, when the ship was attacked by a kamikaze ... pilot,and the gunners were all either killed or wounded, Alonzo who was trained on the guns just in case needed, he took over the gun, despite his wounds, and shot down the attacking plane. For his bravery he was supposed to be awarded the Navy Cross, the highest medal in the Navy for bravery. Because the Navy was at that time segregated, his medal was downgraded to a Bronze Star. Alonzo fought for years with the system to get the medal his commander promised him to no avail. He finally hired Attorney Layer, a West Point graduate and a Vietnam veteran to file suit in Federal Court. The results were that Federal Judge Rudy Lozano, ruled in1992 that Swann was wrongfully denied the medal and ordered it to be re awarded to him. After a press conference in which the Navy was asked by Swann's attorney to "do the right thing" and not appeal the decision, the Navy decided to do just that and more. A special Alonzo Swann night was held in New York on board the Intrepid, which is a musem on the Hudson River, which was the ship on which Swann served and saved. The Navy located and the Intrepid Society paid for transportation of all of the living fellow shipmates for the ceremony which was also attended by 13 retired and active African-American admirals. Attorney Layer attended the presentation as well. The Intrepid Museum also paid for air fair and hotel accommodations for Mr Swanns 10 children. Attorney Layer 's fee charged to Alonzo Swann was $1
