Mia Gonzalez-Swinton, the widow of Army Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, who was killed during a controlled demolition of a downed Iranian drone in Iraq, is honoring his memory and legacy.
Sgt. Swinton, 30, died on duty, leaving behind his wife and their two young children, ages 6 and 4. Gonzalez-Swinton described the moment she learned of his death as surreal.
"I remember feeling sick almost… I felt like I was watching myself," she said during a television interview. Her daughter has begun to refer to her father as their "angel."
Gonzalez-Swinton remembered her husband as a man who "loved his job," "loved this country," and deeply cared about those he encountered. "Michael is an amazing man," she stated. "He cared about anyone he crossed paths with."
Sgt. Swinton is set to be posthumously promoted to staff sergeant and will be awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Action Badge. He had previously received several other commendations, including the Army Commendation Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
Gonzalez-Swinton expressed a desire for her husband to be remembered not only for his military service and awards but also for the man he was away from the battlefield. "I just want everyone to remember him, not only his Army awards and records, but the man he was," she said. "He loved his family, he cared for his friends, and I just don’t want anybody to forget him."