Sgt. Michael Swinton: Family, friends and military community to honor fallen NC soldier

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Saturday, August 8, 2026 3:07PM
Body of Fort Bragg soldier, NC native killed in Iraq returns home
Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton was killed in action on July 19 during the disposal of a downed Iranian attack drone in Iraq.

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, a Fort Bragg soldier and North Carolina native who was killed in Iraq, came home to Fayetteville on Monday.

Swinton, 30, died during a controlled detonation of a downed Iranian one-way attack drone on July 19 at Erbil Air Base, Iraq. He was assigned to D Battery, 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade at Fort Bragg.

Saturday afternoon, family, friends and the military community will honor the American hero.

He will forever be missed, forever honored, and forever our hero.
Christel Andujar, Sgt. Swinton's Mother

Celebration of Life for Sgt. Michael E. Swinton

A viewing and celebration of life for Sgt. Swinton is planned for Saturday, Aug. 8.

  • The viewing is from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
  • Funeral: 1:00 p.m.

Both services will take place at Southview Baptist Church, 4089 Elk Road in Hope Mills.

ABC11 will provide a livestream of Sgt. Swinton's funeral starting at 1:00 p.m.

Army Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, Fayetteville native (Photo Credit: Wife, Mia Gonzalez-Swinton)
Army Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, Fayetteville native (Photo Credit: Wife, Mia Gonzalez-Swinton)

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