Fort Drum Medal of Honor Recipient Added to Traveling “Hometown Heroes” Exhibit

Capt. Swenson to Receive Medal of Honor at White House Ceremony on Oct. 15

State Senator Patty Ritchie is announcing that William Swenson, a former Army captain and Fort Drum soldier slated to receive the Medal of Honor next week, is now featured in her “Hometown Heroes” exhibit; a traveling tribute to recipients of the nation’s highest military honor now on display at museums, libraries and other locations throughout Central and Northern New York. 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW CAPT. SWENSON'S EXHIBIT PLAQUE

CLICK HERE FOR REST OF THE MEDAL OF HONOR HOMETOWN HEROES EXHIBIT

Capt. Swenson will be awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery during combat in Afghanistan in 2009 on October 15^th at a special ceremony being held at the White House.

“Representing our nation’s highest military honor, the Medal of Honor is awarded to those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve their country, and next week, we will pause to thank Capt. Swenson for his courageous actions,” said Senator Ritchie. 

“Capt. Swenson’s inclusion in my “Hometown Heroes” exhibit is just one small way we recognize his contributions.  I’m hopeful that through this display, the people of Central and Northern New York will not only learn about the sacrifices made by Capt. Swenson, but also the other brave individuals who have put their lives on the line for our country.”

Capt. Swenson is being recognized for his courageous actions while serving as an embedded trainer and mentor with the Afghan National Security Forces with Afghan Border Police Mentor Team, 1^st Battalion, 32^nd Infantry Regiment, 3^rd Brigade Combat Team, 10^th Mountain Division in Kunar Province in northeastern Afghanistan on September 8, 2009.

A recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal, Capt. Swenson retired from the military on February 1, 2011.  He now lives in Seattle. 

In addition to Capt. Swenson, Senator Ritchie’s “Hometown Heroes” display features several St. Lawrence and Oswego County Civil War heroes, a group of little known Jefferson County Medal of Honor recipients who served at Madison Barracks at the turn of the century,  and a former member of the 10th Mountain Division from WWII.

The exhibit, which is marking the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Medal of Honor by President Abraham Lincoln, is the second in a series that began last year.   The display will be featured at a number of locations across Central and Northern New York, including the following:

Oswego County

September 30-October 11: Williamstown Library

October 15-October 25: Central Square Library

October 28-November 18: Oswego City Library

November 12-November 22: Mexico Public Library

Jefferson County

October 3-October 23: Fort Drum USO and Flower Memorial Library

October 24-November 6: Jefferson Community College

November 7-November 20: Salmon Run Mall

November 21-December 4: Carthage Area Hospital

December 5-December 18: Carthage Free Library

St. Lawrence County

Sept. 30-Oct. 21: Ogdensburg Public Library

Oct. 22-Nov. 15: E. J. Noble Hospital in Gouverneur

Nov. 16-Dec. 7: Waddington Hepburn Public Library

Dec. 7-Jan. 2: Hermon Hepburn Library

To view the display online, click here.

One in four of America’s 3,500 Medal of Honor recipients nationally are from New York State. In addition to her “Hometown Heroes” exhibit, Senator Ritchie has introduced legislation to pay tribute to these recipients by naming some of the bridges and overpasses of our state in their honor.