Charles Sweeny

Charles Michael Sweeny (January 26, 1882 – February 27, 1963) was an American soldier of fortune, United States Army lieutenant colonel, French Foreign Legion officer, Polish army brigadier general, Royal Air Force (RAF) group captain, and journalist who fought in numerous conflicts in the 20th century. He recruited fellow Americans to fight in World War II prior to the United States entering the war. Early life and family He was born in San Francisco to Charles and Emeline Sweeny. Charles Sr. was the son of poor Irish immigrants, but made his fortune in mining in the region around Coeur d'Alene, Idaho (see Bunker Hill Mine and Smelting Complex). The family settled in nearby Spokane, Washington. A 1920 Associated Press article called Charles Jr. a "multimillionaire's son." He graduated from the University of Notre Dame. One nephew, Charles Francis Sweeny (1910–1993), was the first husband of Margaret Whigham; they married in 1933 and divorced in 1947. (Afterward, she married the Duke of Argyll and became Margaret Campbell, Duchess of Argyll.) He would later be instrumental in forming the Eagle Squadrons. Another nephew, Robert "Bob" Sweeny, was an accomplished golfer on both sides of the Atlantic, playing in numerous Masters Tournaments and winning the 1937 British Amateur Championship.