What did William Swenson do?
A Marine officer nearby fired at the insurgents. Swenson threw a grenade, then resumed first aid. A native of Seattle, he would later receive the Medal of Honor — the nation’s highest military award — for his acts of valor in the 2009 battle that resulted in the deaths of five U.S. service members and 10 Afghan allies.
Are there any active duty Medal of Honor winners?
Swenson, Thomas Payne, Matthew O. Williams and Earl Plumlee are the only Medal of Honor recipients still on active duty.
Who was the last MOH recipient?
Earl Plumlee received the Medal of Honor on Thursday alongside family members of Sgts. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe and Christopher Celiz, who were posthumously awarded the nation’s highest military honor.
How many Medal of Honor are still alive?
The most recent Medal of Honor was given posthumously to Army Spc. Ross McGinnis in June for his service in Iraq. Today, there are 103 living recipients of the Medal of Honor.
Do Medal of Honor recipients still serve?
Hershel W. “Woody” Williams, the last remaining Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, died Wednesday. He was 98. At age 97, Woody Williams still has promises to Gold Star families to keep.
What is the hardest Medal to earn?
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration that may be awarded by the United States government….DESCRIPTION OF MEDALS
- While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States;
- While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or.
How old is William Swenson now?
William D. Swenson (born November 2, 1978) is a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army who was awarded the Medal of Honor in a ceremony on October 15, 2013. He was the sixth living recipient in the War on Terror.
Who is Maj William Swenson?
^ “Graduating NSA Student, MAJ William Swenson, Is Medal of Honor Recipient”. Department of National Security Affairs. Naval Postgraduate School. December 18, 2017. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018. ^ Munday, Dave (August 22, 2018).
Where did Swenson go to school?
Capt. William D. Swenson joined the U.S. Army in 2002. He then attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga., where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant.
Did Captain Swenson receive the Medal of Honor?
“Army Captain William Swenson receives the Medal of Honor”. WTKR. Hampton, North Carolina. Archived from the original on April 21, 2018. Retrieved April 20, 2018. ^ Jonathan Landay (October 15, 2013). “US Army Captain William Swenson awarded Medal of Honor”.