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Pfc Charles J. Swan graduated from Roosevelt High School in Chicago and was employed by the Drake Bowling area when he enlisted on 12 March 1943.

In May 1944 he was hospitalized because of chickenpox.

Pfc Swan was awarded the Silver Star posthumously for gallantry in action. The citation reads: "On 24 November 1944, Pfc Swan, serving as a rifleman in a platoon which was temporarily delayed by intense crossfire from concealed enemy machine gun positions, advanced with a small maneuvering element to the flank in an attempt to neutralize the enemy fire. Unable to get closer than one hundred yards to the guns, Pfc Swan, with total disregard for his own personnel safety in his zeal to accomplish his mission, rushed the nearest machine gun position and threw a hand grenade which effectively destroyed the gun and killed the crew. Observing another gun to the right, he knelt and was in the act of discharging a rifle grenade at the gun when he was mortally wounded by the enemy fire. His heroic actions so inspired the remainder of the platoon that they were enabled to move forward and overrun the enemy."