Bill Sweiger
| Date and Place of Birth: | May 20, 1924 in Baltimore, MD |
| Date and Place of Death: | October 4, 1951 Chorwon, North Korea |
| Baseball Experience: | Minor League |
| Position: | Pitcher |
| Rank: | First Lieutenant |
| Military Unit: | 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division US Army |
| Area Served: | Pacific and Korea |
Bill Sweiger served with the US Army in both World War II and the Korean War. He left his big league dreams on a Korean battlefield in 1951.
Carroll W. "Bill" Sweiger was born on May 20, 1924 in Baltimore,
Maryland, the son of Carroll J. and Regina Sweiger. Bill attended Towson
Catholic High School and City College in Baltimore, and was signed by
the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in 1943.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound righthander joined the York White Roses of the
Class B Interstate League but made just six appearances (1-2 over 21
innings) before being called to military service. Assigned to a US Army
infantry division, Sweiger was plucked from the ranks and sent to
officer's candidate school to be commissioned. During the occupation of
Japan he pitched on a service team with major leaguers Dee Phillips, Hal
Wagner and Milo Candini.
After missing three seasons through military service, Sweiger returned
to organised baseball in 1947. He was back with the White Roses and made
29 appearances for an 11-13 record, 3.19 ERA and struck out 124. On May
15, he allowed just three hits in a 4-1 victory over Harrisburg, ending
the Senators' six-game winning streak.
In 1948 he advanced to Triple-A ball with the Indianapolis Indians of
the American Association, but after two ineffective appearances he was
acquired on option by the New Orleans Pelicans of the Class AA Southern
Association in early May. There is no indication that he ever pitched
for the Pelicans.
In 1949, the 25-year-old started the year with the Portland Beavers of
the Pacific Coast League but after an 0-3 record in six appearances he
was assigned to the Yakima Bears of the Class B Western International
League, where he was 11-2 in 16 games. In 1950, Sweiger pitched for the
Richmond Colts of the Class B Piedmont League, making 31 appearances for
a 10-16 record and 3.57 ERA.
Military service interrupted his career for the second time following
the 1950 season. As a First Lieutenant he was assigned to the 5th
Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division in Korea. On October 4,
1951, when his unit was pinned to the ground with machine gun fire in
the Chorwon area, 1st Lt. Sweiger charged the enemy position at the cost
of his life. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for heroism.
Bill Sweiger, who was survived by his parents and siblings, Tom and
Jean, is buried at New Cathedral Cemetery in Baltimore.
Sources
Morning Herald, May 16, 1947
San Antonio Light, May 9, 1948
Walla Walla Union Bulletin, June 7, 1949
Baltimore Sun, October 14, 1991
www.baseball-reference.com
www.findagrave.com
Date Added February 20, 2013
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