William D. Swenson is a U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and Medal of Honor recipient best known for his extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Ganjgal in Afghanistan on September 8, 2009. As an Army infantry officer serving as an embedded trainer with Afghan Border Police forces, he repeatedly exposed himself to intense enemy fire to coordinate support, rescue wounded personnel, and recover fallen comrades. His actions in the battle led to him receiving the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama in 2013.
Swenson served in both Iraq and Afghanistan and has been recognized with multiple major military awards, including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. After leaving active duty in 2011, he later returned to the Army in 2014. Beyond his combat service, he is also known for his leadership, willingness to speak candidly about battlefield failures, and continued service as a senior Army officer.