The White House announced today that Captain William D. Swenson will finally get his Medal of Honor on October 15, 2013. You might remember that CPT Swenson was with Dakota Meyer in the same action that earned the Medal for Meyer. Meyer lobbied for Swenson’s medal in his book “Into the Fire”.
Captain William D. Swenson separated from the Army on February 1, 2011 and currently resides in Seattle, Washington. He is single.
Captain Swenson was commissioned as an Army Officer upon completing Officer Candidate School on September 6, 2002. His military training and education includes: Infantry Maneuver Captains Career Course, Ranger Course, Infantry Officer Basic, Infantry Mountain Leader Advanced Marksmanship Course, Airborne, Officer Candidate School.
At the time of the September 8, 2009 combat engagement, Captain Swenson was an Embedded Trainer and Mentor of Afghan National Security Forces. His actions were performed as part of 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT, 10th Mountain Division.
His military decorations include: Bronze Star Medal with Two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with One Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Two Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge.
It took lobbying by members of Congress like Duncan Hunter to pry this medal out of the Pentagon because Swenson was fiercely critical of the rules of engagement which he feels cost the lives of Americans in that tiny box canyon that day.
Comments
32 responses to “Captain William D. Swenson to be awarded Medal of Honor”
I am jumping up and down with JOY!!
Hot damn! About time!
it’s about damned time! So happy for CPT Swenson that he is recognized for acts that he did not commit just to get recognized for. I am sure that SGT Meyers is pleased also!
The guys that tried to screw him are screwed–as of 16 October. That’s when he gets to smile at them, exchange a salute and whisper, “Fuck you, sir.” And whadda they gonna do? Hey, I can dream, can’t I.
I may be wrong, but won’t this make him the first commissioned officer ever in the War on Terror to receive the MoH?
Well deserved! Now they need to re-examine some of those awarded the Silver Star or higher in Iraq and get some living recipients of the MOH from that conflict.
Andy-Swenson will be the first living commissioned officer, but LT Murphy was previously awarded a posthumous MOH.
Now all we need is one for Bellavia.
Great news, and long overdue.
Finally! I think that will be at least some weight offa Dakota Meyer’s shoulders too.
ABOUT DAMN TIME! Best damn news today.
Just… spectacular. While there is some merit to “better late than never,” it should have been a joint ceremony.
Warriors. They restore my faith in our country that we cAn produce such men.
@5 Navy LT Michael Murphy received the MOH for action in Afghanistan.
Yes, about effin’ time.
About freaking time.
Both Generals Allen & Mattis endorsed CPT Swenson’s packet…should have been a shoo in from the start.
It’s about time.
I’ve read somewhere else a while back that Gen Allen resubmitted CPT Swenson’s nomination.
About time.
Of all the things which should never have political overtones, this is it. (As long as we are dreaming.)
This is JUSTICE!!!
That guy in the earlier post will have two more MOH than him
An award well earned and deserved
Dumb question, how does an award that big take so many years to get though the rigeramaroll?
About time.
@22 You kinda answered your own question. MOHs normally take about 2 years to do thorough investigation and make sure every shred of evidence has been looked over.
In this particular case he was shafted out of receiving it sooner because he pissed off some folks and his packet was “lost.”
MSG Roy Benavidaz had to wait thirteen years before he wad awarded the MOH.
About fuggin’ time. Congratulations to that warrior!
Way to go CPT.
It begs to question, is it pure coincidence or part of Obama’s agenda to pacify the people by awarding the MOH to more living recipients.
@25…Bruce Crandall and Ed Freeman had to wait about 40 for theirs
About. Freakin’. Time. Thank goodness they finally got their shit straight….(Pentagon)
@ #4, the good Captain has way too much class to do that. Way to go and richly deserved. I salute you.
CPT Swenson you truly are a great American. Thank you for your service