Taylor Swift and his unexpected connection with World War II: the real story that inspired his song “Epiphany”

Photoshoot by Taylor Swift for your “folklore” album. Photo: Instagram / Taylornation.

Taylor Swiftborn in 1989 in West Reading, Pennsylvaniais recognized as one of the most influential artists of his generation. But what many do not know is that part of their personal history is deeply linked to the most devastating war conflict.

Three members of their direct family served with honor on different fronts of the Second World Warleaving a mark that, at present, The singer keeps alive in her work and in her memory: It’s about Archie Dean Swift JR. Martin Reno Swift and Robert Bruce Finlay.

Photoshoot by Taylor Swift for your “folklore” album. Photo: Instagram / Taylornation.

The most prominent among them was his paternal grandfather, Archie Dean Swift Jr.known as “Swifty”. His military career began in 1938, a year before the official start of the conflict. Was sent to the Pacific after the United States admission to warin 1941, after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

There, the Marines body applied the strategy of the “Islands jump“, whose objective was to take the key points of the Pacific to move towards Japan. Swifty, with the highest degree, was part of the Company of Barracks and Services (H&S)responsible for coordinating fundamental logistics aspects for the operability of troops.

Archie Dean Swift, Jr. Photo: Instagram (usnatarchives) – National Archive and Registration Administration.

One of the most significant moments of his service was his participation in the Battle of Guadalcanalinitiated in September 1942 as part of the Watchtower operation. This campaign marked the first great offensive of the allies against Japan and left more than 37,000 dead.

Archie was also present in other key operations, such as campaigns of the Cabo Gloucester (1943), Talaasea (1944) and Okinawa (1945). In July 1945, it was incorporated into the 8th 155 mm cannon battalion, in charge of long -range bombing.

After the conflict, continued serving until 1952year in which he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He had married in 1942 and was the father of three children, including Scott Kingsley Swiftthe singer’s father. He died in 1998 at age 83.

Archie Dean Swift’s physical aptitude report, Jr. Photo: Instagram (usnatarchives) – National Archive and Records Administration,

Taylor Swift’s connection with World War II through “Epiphany”

Inspired by her legacy, Taylor wrote in 2020 the song “Epiphany“, belonging to the album”Folklore“, dedicated to his grandfather and his time to war. In an interview with Entertainment Weeklydeclared:

“For some time I wanted to write about him (Archie). He died when I was very young, but my dad always told this story about how the only thing his father said about war was when someone asked him: ‘Why do you have such a positive perspective of life?’ My grandfather replied: ‘Well, it is not supposed to be here. I shouldn’t be here‘”

Photoshoot by Taylor Swift for your “folklore” album. Photo: Archive.

“My dad and his brothers always imagined that What he had lived was really horrible and traumaticand that had witnessed many terrible things. So, when they investigated, they discovered that he had fought in the battles of Guadalcanal, in Cape Gloucester, in Talasea and in Okinawa, “he added.

He closed: “I had seen an intense enemy fire and numerous casualties, all those things that make up Nightmares. It was one of the first people to list for war. But, you know, these are things that many people of that generation did not speak because, they did not want their loved ones to care about them, and generally what they lived was so bad that it was really, in reality, The definition of the indescribable“

“Stay with your helmet, stay with your life, son,

It’s just a superficial wound, here is your rifle.

Climbing the beaches now ,,

Lord, I think he is bleeding

And about some things, you just can’t talk. “

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However, the military tradition of the Swift family does not end there. Martin Reno SwiftTaylor’s grandfather uncle, served under the command of the General George S. Patton Jr. in the 3rd army.

Participated in key operations, such as landing in France after Day d and the Battle of the Ardenascontributing to the release of the 101.ª Airborne Division in Bastogne. He died in 2003 at 79.

Robert Bruce Finlaymaternal grandfather of the artist, was also at the service of her country. He enlisted in the Navy in 1944, after offering himself as a volunteer after not being selected in the recruitment lottery.

Robert Finlay. Photo: Instagram (Usnatarchives) – National Archives and Records Administration.

He was trained as Naval Aviatoralthough the end of the war prevented him from participating in active fighting. He finished his career as a reserve officer.