He was one scary Drill Instructor that would really get on me. Made me go through the gas chamber twice lol. After that he started calling me ole T.C . After boot camp he was a nice and friendly Marine. RIP

T. Williams 
Semper Fi
Platoon 2044

Condolences to the family. Gunny was my Senior Drill Instructor at Parris Island in 1985 until he was moved up to Series DI. Honestly I was terrified of him but never forgot him. I can still see him embarrassing us by the number of pull ups he could do (more than any of us recruits). I can still hear him yelling at me for the myriad of things I did wrong. I can only say he played a huge roll in shaping who I am today and I’m grateful. Despite not really knowing him on a personal level, I feel a tremendous sadness learning of his passing. 

We spent time together at the rehab in Greenville NC.  
Great man. 
And fellow Marine.
SEMPER FI Brother !!!!!!! 
Save me a seat in Valhalla


RIP Gunny go and rest now. We got the watch now. Prayers for family. Semper Fidelis Brother 

Semper Fi Gunny, missed but never forgotten .  Everlasting impression upon my life! God bless you and your family Devil-dog. 

Platoon #2069 Guide!

First, to all the Marines who shared their respect and love on this forum, thank you for your service and support for my uncle Gunny Lee Van Sweringen.

As his nephew it was my honor to know and love him as a "big brother" and benefit from his inspiration to be a better version of myself.  He taught me to play guitar, love lentils, and enjoy life's little moments like finding arrowheads in the fields of Indiana.  

He loved his recruits dearly and was deeply humbled by the task of helping them achieve their highest self.  His spirit will endure and Valhalla has surely welcomed him as only it can a warrior poet who served his God and country with honor.  Thank you all for your role in guiding his journey with genuine devotion and the humble bravery that defines a Marine. 

Met Van when I worked as a drill instructor in my first platoon,in1980.RIP.

Gunny and I met each other on FB. We were in a few USMC Vet groups together. When we realized we lived in the same area, we just had to meet. I ended up becoming his housekeeper. I was truly honored. Our friendship grew rapidly. Boy did he give me a hard time and I gave it right back. That’s just the way it was. We understood each other. We loved each other as true “Brothers”-in-arms. Til Valhalla my dear brother. You are greatly missed.

I met Lee back on March 15, 1971 when we both stepped on the yellow footprints at MCRD San Diego.  The DI's of Platoon 1031 could not pronounce his last name so they nicknamed him "Alphabet".  Lee stood out during boot camp, so I was not surprised to learn that he had become a DI.  35 plus years after boot came we once again got in contact with each other, our friendship took off right where it left off.  Rest in Peace Alphabet!  

Rest In Peace Gunny.  Prayers for family and friends. 

You will be missed Gunny, Fair Winds & Fallowing Seas my Friend, Till Valhalla. RIP.

Gunny was my series chief drill instructor Feb-Apr of 86. Sharp, intimidating, and fair. It was evident that he cared, because he took the time to actually talk to us. He set a great example, wish I would have known he was here in Jacksonville. Semper Fi Gunny!

Thanks you for your extraordinary service to our country and Corp.  Semper Fi and God Speed.  

From a junior Marine. 2002-2006

SSGT Van Sweringen was my Sr Drill Instructor Sept 1980   Always teaching.  It was an honor to be trained by him. 

Rest In Peace Devil Dog
Semper Fi ~
T n J
Camp Lejeune NC

Served with Lee in the old days in HMH-461. Ran into him a few times around town. Always upbeat, had a laugh or two always handy. God bless your family. Semper Fidelis, Marine!

When I went to 3 day observations while in D.I.School he 'Modeled the way ' for me as I always admired his cadence and ability to teach recruits. After all " Thats what we do "
Good Night "Adjust "


He was a great man and an outstanding DI. He was my Heavy and taught me a lot when I was a new hat working my first platoon. 

Gunnery Sgt Van Sweringen was one of my Drill Instructors when he was a Sgt. I have many fond memories of him calling cadence while marching and building us into Marines. In my opinion he was a great man who helped make many Marines.

Gunnery Sergeant Sweringen was my Series Chief Drill Instructor when I went to boot camp in 1985.  The memory that sticks out to me the most was when we all had to sign for our chevrons and the tailoring.  He said “sign here recruit” so I did.  He then asked me if I had any idea what I was signing and I said “no sir”.  So he went on to explain that I was signing for a set of Lance Corporal Chevrons.  I had gone to boot camp as a PFC for recruiting others, and I had been selected to graduate boot camp as a Lance Corporal.  While I wasn’t the Honor Grad or Company Honor man in blues, I would come out of boot camp as a LCpl!  He smacked me on the shoulder, congratulated me and sent me on my way.  I sure do wish I could have found him on FB sooner and shared that memory with him.  I went on to become a Drill Instructor myself and retired as an LDO Major by following the fine example he and many other Marines set for me.  
Thank you Gunny!
My condolences to the family.  


Fair winds and following seas Gunny.  From one Gunny to another.  See you in Valhalla with our brothers and sisters someday.

My deepest condolences to the family.

Semper Fi

Gunny D

RIP  Gunny. Will see you on the street of gold.

Met Sgt Van when I was assigned to HMH-461. Always had me laughing. Semper Fi my brother. Till we meet again. 

I met Gunny Sweringen on FB where he had a Group Page .. He was mentoring young soon to be Marines and he loved and believed in this with all his heart.  He surly was also mentoring the Marine Mom’s and Dad’s by answering hundreds of their questions before they departed for boot camp.  He did not stop there he also stayed in contact with many of these fine Marines.  I was saddened to find out his passing and God Truly got a Outstanding Marine to watch the Gates of Heaven ..🙏✝️

I never knew this gentleman, but wanted to say...Thank you for your service to this Country and for protecting my Freedoms...RIP...Semper Fi Marine  <3 
Prayers for Ya"ll  <3

R.I.P. my Brother in Arm's & Brother Drill Instructor. Thank you for your Service to our great Nation till we meet again "Salute" & God Bless your Family!

I only knew the Gunny through facebook, but he was an AWESOME person

 I only knew Howard Lee Van Sweringen Jr. through Facebook but enjoyed sending and receiving things with him over the net. I'm very sorry to hear of his passing.  He's now with the Chesty Puller Division guarding the streets of Heaven.  
 R.I.P. MARINE and SEMPER FI 

To his family, I am deeply saddened by his passing. 
He was my Drill Instructor in August 1979 Plt. 2063 Delta Co. 2nd Bn. P.I.  I knew him as Sgt. Van Sweringen. His cadence was a joy to march to. He was the first to address me as "Marine" on graduation day, 22 Oct. 1979. 
 May he rest in peace for Eternity, may he have calm seas and following winds. Semper Fi Gunny.

so sorry for your loss.  Lee was my Drill Instructor in Oct 1979. He had the best cadence and when he marched us it was easy to strut a little taller and with more pride...... Gunny always would say "what happens on the Island stays on the Island"    RIP Gunny we got your six

Hé was the most amazing man. I we were friends on fack book.  Whe i was having a hard day.  He wolud messager me and aks me how was i doing.   He would let me know how the beaches were.    He was a cool guy.  May god bless his family's.  He is a angle now flying high. Watching over all. His family and Facebook family.  He will be missed. 

RIP my brother. You were one of the best of a few good men.                                        Charlie Ledford, SgtMaj(Ret)

OBITUARY

Howard Lee Van Sweringen Jr.

1 February, 1954 – 30 March, 2019

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