Skip to Main Content

Welcome to the Lamar Memorial Library!

Click Here for Information About Online Library Services and Resources, including Live Chat with a Librarian

library homepage
Today's Hours:  

Always Remember Those Who Gave All: MC WW2 Gold Stars and MIA Survivors

William Joseph Sweeney III

William Joseph Sweeney III (1922-1997)

MC Class: 1943

Years at MC: 1939-1943

Hometown: Norwood, PA

Life at MC: Biology major; Alpha Sigma Literary Society, Honor Roll, Cheerleader (Captain 3 years), Highland Echo Sports Editor, Biology Assistant, Hi Trail, Chilhowean Editor, French Club, Sports Editor of "Summer Sun," Intramurals, lived in Carnegie Hall

Military Branch: US Army Air Forces

Military Unit: Unknown

Rank: Captain (Pilot)

Medals Awarded: Yes but specifics unknown

Date Missing: 3 February 1945

Circumstances of "Missing in Action": Plane shot down

Notification of Survival: 1945

Circumstances of Rescue/Escape: "Picked up by a Russian patrol and eventually made his way back to England and home" (Dr. Lloyd's notes). At some point was a POW (per his obituary)

Burial/Memorial Information: Unknown

Additional Information: Following WW2, Sweeney became well-known obstetrician and gynecologist focusing on in-vitro fertilization in Manhattan. His obituaries give many details of his medical career: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1997-11-02-9711010203-story.html and https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/28/classified/paid-notice-deaths-sweeney-william-j-iii-md.html.

Additional Images:

1942 Chilhowean Staff (Sweeney is 5th from left)

1943 Maryville College Cheerleaders (Sweeney is standing, 4th from left)