Army promises changes after botching Swenson's MoH nomination

Army promises changes after botching Swenson's MoH nomination
Army Times
Dan Lamothe
October 16, 2013

Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler helps retired Army Capt. William Swenson adjust his Medal of Honor before his induction ceremony into the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes in Arlington, Va., on Oct. 16. Swenson received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the battle of Ganjgal in 2009. Mike Morones / Staff

Medal of Honor recipient Will Swenson was lauded Wednesday by senior defense officials as a role model who carried himself gracefully — even after the Army botched his initial nomination for the award following a brutal battle that killed five fellow service members.

Swenson, a former Army captain, was inducted into the Pentagon Hall of Heroes before about 200 friends, family members and fellow service members. The ceremony occurred one day after he received the Medal of Honor at the White House for his heroism in the Battle of Ganjgal, a Sept. 8, 2009, clash between insurgents and coalition forces in eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province.

Swenson received the nation’s highest award for valor following rampant speculation that his initial nomination was stalled in Afghanistan because he blasted his senior officers during an investigation into what went wrong in Ganjgal. In an interview with investigators, he criticized their rules of engagement, the leadership of officers who didn’t promptly send help to troops under fire, and the second-guessing he experienced when requesting fire support, according to a copy of his witness statement.
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