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Orson Swindle was sworn in as a Commissioner of the Â鶹´«Ã½ Trade Commission on December 18, 1997. He was appointed by President Clinton to a term that expired September 25, 2004. Prior to his appointment, Commissioner Swindle had a distinguished military career. He also served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Development, where he managed the Department of Commerce’s national economic development efforts, directing six offices across the country. Commissioner Swindle was State Director of the Farmers Home Administration for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, financing rural housing, community infrastructure, businesses, and farming.

As a Marine aviator serving in South Vietnam, Commissioner Swindle was shot down over North Vietnam on November 11, 1966, while flying his 205th combat mission. He was captured by the North Vietnamese and held as a Prisoner of War in Hanoi for the next six years and four months. On March 4, 1973, Commissioner Swindle was released from captivity. He retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1979, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His 20 military decorations awarded for valor in combat include two Silver Stars, two Bronze stars, and two Purple Hearts.

Commissioner Swindle is a graduate of Georgia Tech and the Florida State University Graduate School of Business.