A former 10th Mountain Division soldier will receive the nation's highest military award, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during a 2009 battle in Afghanistan.
Captain William Swenson will be honored during an October 15th White House ceremony with the president. He will be the sixth living service member to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.
The Pentagon said that Swenson reacted swiftly to return fire in the battle, which involved an ambush by 60 insurgents. Swenson called in support, directed his Afghan partner forces, and provided first aid to another soldier. The captain also repeatedly led teams of troops into enemy fire to recover the wounded and dead.
Captain Swenson was never stationed at Fort Drum, but he served with the 10th Mountain Division, headquartered at the post, during his Afghanistan deployment. Three other service members received high honors for their bravery in the same battle, including another Medal of Honor recipient.