Edwin Carl Swanson was born on March 13, 1917, in Berwyn, Cook County, Illinois. He served in the United States Marine Corps as a Corporal during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, Cpl Swanson was one of the 10,000 to 12,000 Americans who were forced to march over 60 miles under brutal conditions, resulting in 1,000 to 5,000 deaths due to starvation, dehydration, and abuse. Survivors were sent to Camp O'Donnell, where dire conditions, including overcrowding, malnutrition, and disease, caused an additional 1,500 to 2,300 American deaths within weeks. Those who survived faced ongoing hardships, including transfers to other camps and forced labor, where many continued to suffer or die.

Cpl Swanson was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on July 14, 1942. He is now buried in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA.

Source of information: www.livescience.com