Aircraft History
Built by Grumman as a model G-36 with manually operated folding wings. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F4F-3 Wildcat bureau number 3989.

Wartime History
Assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) to Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221) "Fighting Falcons" to the Third Division with squadron number "23". No known nickname or nose art. One of seven F4F-3 Wildcats loaded aboard USS Kitty Hawk (APV-1) as reinforcements bound for Midway Atoll. On May 26, 1942 delivered to Midway Airfield.

Mission History
On June 4, 1942 during the Battle of Midway took off from Midway Airfield on Eastern Island. When this aircraft failed to return it was declared Missing In Action (MIA).

Memorials
Swansberger was officially declared dead on June 5, 1943. He is commemorated on the courts of the missing, court 4 at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl).

References
Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4F-3 Wildcat 3989
"3989 (VMF-221) lost at Battle of Midway, Jun 4, 1942."
USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List June 1942 F4F-3 Wildcat 3989 piloted by McCarthy
'Summing it Up: VMF-221 at Midway' by Santiago A Flores
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Walter W. Swansberger
FindAGrave - 2Lt Walter W Swansberger (courts of the missing photo)