William D. Swenson is a former United States Army Captain who was awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States, for his exceptional courage and leadership during a battle in Afghanistan. Swenson was born on November 2, 1978, in Seattle, Washington.
On September 8, 2009, Captain Swenson, a cavalry officer, was serving as an embedded advisor to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) in the Kunar Province of Afghanistan. During a mission to support a contingent of Afghan Border Police, the unit came under heavy enemy fire from well-fortified positions.
Despite being outnumbered and under intense enemy attack, Swenson displayed exceptional bravery and selflessness. He repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to aid and evacuate wounded soldiers and Afghan personnel. He led multiple rescues, evacuating injured comrades under heavy enemy fire and ensuring their prompt medical treatment.
Swenson coordinated air support and provided critical communication with the main command center, relaying accurate and timely information about the ongoing battle. He directed close air support strikes and delivered suppressive fire to protect his comrades and the Afghan forces.
During the height of the battle, Swenson displayed exemplary leadership, coordinating the defense of his unit and leading a team on foot through enemy fire to recover the bodies of fallen soldiers. His actions inspired those around him, boosting the morale and determination of the entire unit.
For his extraordinary courage and selflessness, Captain William D. Swenson was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama in a White House ceremony on October 15, 2013. Swenson’s actions exemplify the highest ideals of military service, reflecting the unwavering commitment to duty, honor, and the protection of his fellow soldiers. He is a true hero and an inspiration to all members of the United States Army and the entire military community.
Medal of Honor Citation
Captain William D. Swenson distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as embedded advisor to the Afghan National Border Police, Task Force Phoenix, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan in support of 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, during combat operations against an armed enemy in Kunar Province, Afghanistan on September 8, 2009. On that morning, more than 60 well-armed, well-positioned enemy fighters ambushed Captain Swenson’s combat team as it moved on foot into the village of Ganjgal for a meeting with village elders. As the enemy unleashed a barrage of rocket-propelled grenade, mortar and machine gun fire, Captain Swenson immediately returned fire and coordinated and directed the response of his Afghan Border Police, while simultaneously calling in suppressive artillery fire and aviation support. After the enemy effectively flanked Coalition Forces, Captain Swenson repeatedly called for smoke to cover the withdrawal of the forward elements. Surrounded on three sides by enemy forces inflicting effective and accurate fire, Captain Swenson coordinated air assets, indirect fire support and medical evacuation helicopter support to allow for the evacuation of the wounded. Captain Swenson ignored enemy radio transmissions demanding surrender and maneuvered uncovered to render medical aid to a wounded fellow soldier. Captain Swenson stopped administering aid long enough to throw a grenade at approaching enemy forces, before assisting with moving the soldier for air evacuation. With complete disregard for his own safety, Captain Swenson unhesitatingly led a team in an unarmored vehicle into the kill zone, exposing himself to enemy fire on at least two occasions, to recover the wounded and search for four missing comrades. After using aviation support to mark locations of fallen and wounded comrades, it became clear that ground recovery of the fallen was required due to heavy enemy fire on helicopter landing zones. Captain Swenson’s team returned to the kill zone another time in a Humvee. Captain Swenson voluntarily exited the vehicle, exposing himself to enemy fire, to locate and recover three fallen Marines and one fallen Navy corpsman. His exceptional leadership and stout resistance against the enemy during six hours of continuous fighting rallied his teammates and effectively disrupted the enemy’s assault. Captain William D. Swenson’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Task Force Phoenix, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division and the United States Army.