President Barack Obama, right, speaks before awarding former U.S. Army Capt. William D. Swenson the Medal of Honor at the White House in Washington, D.C., Oct. 15, 2013. Swenson was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Ganjgal in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Sept. 8, 2009. Swenson was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Ganjgal in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Sept. 8, 2009. Swenson was leading a group of Afghan Border Police in support of the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division at the time of the battle.