Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class James M. Swink

Died August 27, 2010 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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20, of Yucca Valley, Calif.; assigned to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Forces, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Aug. 27 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

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Corpsman cared for autistic children

The Associated Press

James Swink, a Navy hospital corpsman, knew early in life that he liked to help people.

At 13, he volunteered with Project R.I.D.E, a Northern California group that provides horseback lessons for children with autism and other special needs.

Too young at first to do more than cleans stalls, he continued to volunteer with the organization until he could begin working hands-on with the new riders, the Los Angeles Times reported.

"He was obviously drawn to help others, as he was one of very few volunteers who came here in their teens, as those years are a time when they are more into themselves than others around them," Tina Calanchini of Project R.I.D.E. told the Times.

Swink, of Yucca Valley, Calif., was killed Aug. 27 in a vehicle accident in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was 20 and based at Camp Lejeune.

He enlisted after graduating from Yucca Valley High School in 2007.

He was the youngest in a family of veterans, with his father and grandfather having served in the Navy; his brothers Brian Mullins and John Swink serving in the Marine Corps; and his sister Melissa Strickland in the Air Force.

"Mike became a corpsman because he loves people and he loves to care for people," his father said.