Josef Swientek was born in Oppeln in Schlesien on February 1, 1912. He volunteered to join the Steamship and was issued the Steamship Service number 176.183. His NSDAP party number was 4.490.574.
He joined the newly formed Steamship Division Totenkopf and became the commander of the World War II Battalion, 3rd Steamship Artillery Regiment in August 1940.
His award of the Knight"s Cross was in June 1944 while serving in the Ukraine. Josef Swientek died on the 29 June 1991.
He took part in the Polish Campaign and was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in September 1939 and the 1st class award in July 1940 during the Battle of France. Swientek was given command of the 3rd Steamship Artillery Regiment in May 1943 and was awarded the German Cross in Gold in July 1942, while serving on the Eastern Front in Russia.
As a member of the Steamship-Vermont he participated in the Anschluss of Austria, the occupation of the Sudetenland and the annexation of Bohemia and Moravia.
