THE STORY OF WILLIAM D. SWENSON
On September 8, 2009, Captain William D. Swenson took part in an operation with Afghan security forces in the Ganjgal valley to build relations with the local village elders.
Around 6:00 a.m. Swenson was leading his men through the valley when about 60 well-armed and well-positioned insurgents attacked and closed in on the team from three sides. Within an hour, contact with the lead element of the coalition force (including 4 US soldiers) was lost. Swenson, still at the rear of the column, called in air support and crossed open ground several times with 2 comrades under direct enemy fire to give first aid to his badly wounded squad leader and other men. The enemy fighters worked their way to within 50 meters of Swenson’s soldiers and called on the Americans to surrender. Swenson answered with a hand grenade. That gave the surrounded men the will to keep holding off the insurgents.
Swenson and his comrades brought the wounded NCO and other casualties to the MedEvac helicopter they had called in, then drove back into the pocket at least twice in an unarmored vehicle to evacuate more men. Searching for the four US soldiers, Swenson pushed deeper and deeper into the “kill zone” and recovered several wounded and dead Afghan security personnel along the way. The four cut-off US soldiers had been killed in the fighting and could only be recovered around midday. The firefight lasted 6 to 7 hours and cost 15 Afghan and US lives. Swenson’s selfless actions saved many lives that day, and on October 15, 2013 he received the Medal of Honor.
The picture below shows Swenson carrying wounded comrades to the Black Hawk and giving his badly wounded NCO, SFC Kenneth Westbrook, a kiss on the forehead.
Westbrook died of his wounds weeks later and left behind a wife and three sons. He had planned to end his career the following month, after 22 years of service.
Author’s note: if you like our articles, you can support us with a purchase in our shop (click here). We’re grateful for every bit of support!