Fort Bragg soldier Sgt. Michael Swinton, NC native, devoted dad killed in Iraq returns home, gets Patriot Guard Riders escort
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) — Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, a Fort Bragg soldier and North Carolina native who was killed in Iraq, came home to Fayetteville, where friends and family gathered to honor his memory.
Swinton, 30, died during a controlled detonation of a downed Iranian one-way attack drone on July 19 at Erbil Air Base, Iraq.
Swinton was assigned to D Battery, 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade at Fort Bragg.
Hearts were heavy as friends and family waited to meet with Staff Sgt. Swinton once again. Darissa Morris, a family friend, described the day as “kind of a surreal moment, and I think it makes it more real.”
Morris, who has known Swinton’s mother for more than 25 years, said, “I wanted to be here to support her and to be here for her.”
She added, “We’ve known them for my son’s entire life. He was a little, little kid. And Michael would hold him and help him in the pool. Just. He’s been kind. And you knew that he was that type of a person.”
Swinton’s body was transferred from Dover Air Base to Fayetteville just after 12:30 p.m. to Signature Aviation, a private hangar near the Fayetteville airport.
His wife, Mia, accompanied by their 4-year-old daughter, wiped away tears as she held the casket wrapped in the American flag.
Chopper 11 captured the procession led by the Patriot Guard Riders, a nonprofit dedicated to honoring fallen military heroes.
Retired veteran Claude Bright said, “It’s not easy. We’ve all been in those boots. We know what it’s like. And when we lose a comrade, we’re going to be there to support them and the family.”
Rhonda Bright, a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, reflected on Swinton’s sacrifice, “The military veterans, they don’t ask to do this. They do this because they want to and they want to look out for us. And so especially where one pays their sacrifice, and they lose their life. So paying homage to him and to his family also is a big, big thing for us.”
Bright, the daughter of a Vietnam veteran and a military wife, said moments like these bring people together. “My heart just sank straight down to my feet. And I just thought of the family, and I was just like, you know, what can we do?”
Morris said seeing the ceremony “just kind of puts it in perspective how incredibly, incredibly powerful and impactful this is. And he is and was as a service member.”
Swinton also leaves behind a 6-year-old son.
Morris said she hopes his legacy will live on.
Celebration of Life for Sgt. Michael E. Swinton
A viewing and celebration of life for Sgt. Swinton is planned for Saturday, Aug. 8.
- The viewing is from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Both services will take place at Southview Baptist Church, 4089 Elk Road in Hope Mills,
After his death, his mother, Christel Andujar, sent ABC11 this statement about her son: “Sgt. Michael Swinton was the kind of person who could light up any room. He had a contagious laugh, an incredible sense of humor, and loved making people smile. He was a true jokester who believed life was meant to be lived to the fullest.
Adventurous and fearless, Michael was always ready for the next challenge. He embraced life with courage, confidence, and a willingness to take risks. But beneath that adventurous spirit was a man of unwavering loyalty and strength. If you needed someone to lean on, he was there without hesitation. He fiercely protected the people he loved and never backed down from standing up for what was right.
Above all else, Michael’s greatest love was his family. His wife, Mia, and two beautiful children were the center of his world. Every decision he made and every sacrifice he endured was with them in his heart. His love for them was unconditional, selfless, and unwavering.
Michael was the most patient and loving father I have ever known. He cherished every moment with his children, making them feel safe, valued, and deeply loved. He carried that same gentle heart into being an uncle. His nieces and nephews adored him because he always made time for them, encouraged them, and made them laugh. Whether he was playing with them, teaching them, or simply listening, he had a way of making every child feel like they were the most important person in the room.
To his family, Michael was more than a son, husband, father, and soldier-he was the best big brother anyone could ask for. The bond he shared with his siblings was unbreakable. We could talk about absolutely anything, and no matter what life brought our way, we always knew we had each other. He was the one we leaned on, the one who made us laugh when we needed it most, and the one who reminded us that family always comes first.
Michael had a remarkable ability to excel at whatever he set his mind to. He knew when it was time to laugh and when it was time to be serious. Whether serving his country, supporting his family, or helping a friend, he gave his whole heart and expected nothing in return.
To so many, Michael wasn’t just a hero because he wore the uniform-he was a hero because of the way he loved, protected, encouraged, and inspired everyone around him. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched, the laughter he shared, the strength he gave others, and the unconditional love he poured into his family. He will forever be missed, forever honored, and forever our hero.”
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