Origins & Early Life

John Leonard Swigert Jr. (August 30, 1931 – December 27, 1982) was an American NASA astronaut, test pilot, mechanical engineer, aerospace engineer, United States Air Force pilot, and politician. In April 1970, as command module pilot of Apollo 13, he became one of 24 Apollo astronauts who reached the Moon. Due to the "slingshot" route around the Moon they chose to safely return to Earth, the Apollo 13 astronauts flew farther away from Earth than any other astronauts until the Artemis II lunar flyby in 2026, though they had to abort the Moon landing.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Before joining NASA in 1966, Swigert was a civilian test pilot and fighter pilot in the Air National Guard. After leaving NASA, he ran to represent Colorado in the U.S. Senate but lost in a primary election against Bill Armstrong. He subsequently was elected to represent Colorado's 6th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982, but died of cancer before being sworn into office.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

John Leonard Swigert Jr. was born on August 30, 1931, in Denver, Colorado, to parents Dr. John Leonard Swigert Sr. (1903–1974) and Virginia Anne Swigert (née Seep) (1908–1994), both of German Catholic descent. Swigert's father...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Contemporary (Born in 1931) (1931): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
• Adolfo Pérez Esquivel — Contemporary (Born in 1931) (1931): Argentine activist and Nobel Peace laureate for human rights defense.
• Akseli Gallen-Kallela — Contemporary (Died in 1931) (1931): Leading Finnish painter and pioneer of national romantic art, famed for the Kalevala.
• 1982 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament — Contemporary (Born in 1982) (1982): The 44th annual NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.
• Alan Ritchson — Contemporary (Born in 1982) (1982): American actor known for roles in Reacher, Titans, and superhero franchises.
• Albert Soboul — Contemporary (Died in 1982) (1982): Influential French historian specializing in the French Revolution and Napoleonic eras.
• Antonio da Correggio — Shared historical date (08-30 · Born) (1489): Master of the Parma School, known for sensuous, dynamic High Renaissance painting.
• Bruce McLaren — Shared historical date (08-30 · Born) (1937): Pioneering New Zealand racing driver and motorsport executive.
• Benazir Bhutto — Shared historical date (12-27 · Died) (2007): Pioneering Pakistani stateswoman, first woman PM in a Muslim-majority nation.
• Billy Wright (loyalist) — Shared historical date (12-27 · Died) (1997): Northern Irish loyalist paramilitary leader, founder of the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF)
• 1931 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1931
• August 30 (08-30) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on August 30
• 1982 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1982
• December 27 (12-27) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 27