Captain William D. Swenson - Medal of Honor - Operation Enduring Freedom

President Barack Obama grips the shoulders of former Capt. William D. Swenson just after he presented him with the Medal of Honor in the East Room of the White House, Oct. 15, 2013. In six hours of continuous fighting against more than 60 well-armed, well-positioned enemy fighters, Swenson braved intense enemy fire and willfully put his life in danger against the enemy's main effort, multiple times in service of his fallen and wounded comrades while serving as an Afghan Border Police advisor, in support of 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), during combat operations in the Battle of Ganjgal, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, Sept. 8, 2009.

U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno speaks with family members of former Army Capt. William D. Swenson, during a Medal of Honor presentation ceremony in the East Room at the White House, Oct. 15, 2013.

President Barack Obama gives remarks during a Medal of Honor ceremony in honor of former Capt. William D. Swenson, in the East Room of the White House, Oct. 15, 2013. In six hours of continuous fighting against more than 60 well-armed, well-positioned enemy fighters, Swenson braved intense enemy fire and willfully put his life in danger against the enemy's main effort, multiple times in service of his fallen and wounded comrades while serving as an Afghan Border Police advisor, in support of 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), during combat operations in the Battle of Ganjgal, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, Sept. 8, 2009.

Former Army Capt. William D. Swenson and President Barack Obama pray before Swenson is awarded the Medal of Honor, Oct. 15, 2013, at the White House.

Former Capt. William D. Swenson shares a moment of recognition with President Barack Obama for the Soldiers, Marines, Sailor and Afghan service members who lost their lives at the Battle of Ganjgal in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, Sept. 8, 2009. Swenson was presented the Medal of Honor for his courage and selflessness, which saved the lives of 12 coalition members.

Former Capt. William D. Swenson applauds the fallen and wounded comrades that he fought alongside with in Afghanistan during his Medal of Honor ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Oct. 15, 2013. In six hours of continuous fighting against more than 60 well-armed, well-positioned enemy fighters, Swenson braved intense enemy fire and willfully put his life in danger against the enemy's main effort, multiple times in service of his fallen and wounded comrades while serving as an Afghan Border Police advisor, in support of 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), during combat operations in the Battle of Ganjgal, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, Sept. 8, 2009.

Moments before receiving the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama at a White House ceremony, Oct. 15, 2013, former Army Capt. William D. Swenson shares a silent moment with the families of those who fell at the Battle of Ganjgal, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, Sept. 8, 2009.

President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Honor to former Army Capt. William D. Swenson of Seattle, Wash., during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House, Oct. 15, 2013.

Former Army Capt. William D. Swenson receives the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama at a White House ceremony, Oct. 15, 2013.

President Barack Obama grips the shoulders of former Capt. William D. Swenson just after he presented him with the Medal of Honor in the East Room of the White House, Oct. 15, 2013. In six hours of continuous fighting against more than 60 well-armed, well-positioned enemy fighters, Swenson braved intense enemy fire and willfully put his life in danger against the enemy's main effort, multiple times in service of his fallen and wounded comrades while serving as an Afghan Border Police advisor, in support of 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), during combat operations in the Battle of Ganjgal, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, Sept. 8, 2009.

After being presented the Medal of Honor at the White House, Oct. 15, 2013, former Army Capt. William D. Swenson shares a moment with President Barack Obama.

Former Army Capt. William D. Swenson speaks to reporters at the White House after receiving the Medal of Honor, Oct. 15, 2013.

A close-up view of former Army Capt. William D. Swenson's Medal of Honor, seen as Swenson spoke to reporters at the White House after receiving the nation's highest military award for valor, Oct. 15, 2013.