Small Wars Journal

Straight-Shooter Swenson Not Done Fighting

Wed, 10/23/2013 - 11:52pm

Straight-Shooter Swenson Not Done Fighting by Kevin Horrigan, St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

At some point during the World Series telecasts, and probably two or three times during the remainder of the National Football League season, Major League Baseball and the NFL will stage those patented “salute to our military heroes” extravaganzas.

Giant flags will wiggle across the fields. Color guards will parade. The broadcast team will cut away to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan where troops in Dr. Denton-like camo uniforms will wave at the cameras. There may or may not be a flyover by fighter jets; those are mostly on hold because of budget cuts. Crowds will cheer. The announcers will praise our heroes. Everybody will feel good.

But Will Swenson doesn’t have a job.

He has been out of the Army and unemployed since 2011. Last week, his hair way past regulation length, he put on his dress-blue captain’s uniform long enough for President Barack Obama to drape the Medal of Honor around his neck. He has a college degree. He has the Medal of Honor. But he doesn’t have a job…

Read on.

Comments

major.rod

Thu, 10/24/2013 - 12:47am

Swenson is a hero both when it comes to physical courage and moral courage.

That said I'm bothered by the MSM's focus on all the controversy. Then again, if it wasn't for the controversy there'd be no coverage like they dealt with Romesha's award.

This inspired me to write an article about Swenson that talks about what he actually did and then the other issues. http://gruntsandco.com/cpt-will-swenson-awarded-moh/ I was sure to include links to his citation and the video where he kisses his NCO's head as he loads him on the Medevac to later die from his injuries.