Navy Federal Credit Union

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Charles T. Swanson, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 24th Infantry Division in Korea. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class [then Sergeant]

    Regiment:

    19th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    24th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    February 3 – 4, 1951

    Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 288 (April 7, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class [then Sergeant] Charles T. Swanson (ASN: RA-34443944), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Medical Aidman with the Medical Company, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Sesim-ni, Korea, on 3 – 4 February 1951. His company was defending to cover the withdrawal of a friendly unit and as the friendly unit passed through the company lines the enemy launched a series of attacks in tremendous mass in an effort to drive the company form its commanding ground. These attacks were accompanied by terrific small arms, machine gun, and mortar fire and the casualties mounted steadily. Sergeant First Class Swanson, an aid-man assigned to the Third Platoon of Company A, found himself with an increasing number of wounded to be tended. This he proceeded to do with utter disregard for his own safety. He clambered about the icy slopes from foxhole to foxhole answering all cries of “Medic,” totally ignoring the hail of enemy fire that swept the ridge. He twice carried men in his arms to the company supply point where they could be evacuated by litter teams. When the order came to withdraw, he had in his care a seriously wounded man who could not walk even with assistance. Without hesitation he loaded the man on his back and started down the icy, near-vertical slopes. Ignoring the enemy fire sweeping the area he picked his way slowly and carefully knowing that a fall could easily be fatal to his helpless burden. In all, he carried the man down 800 yards of mountain trails and across 300 yards of open ground to the waiting litter jeep. Rather than rest after his ordeal he immediately rejoined the company in it counterattack back up the hill. On regaining the summit he again moved about as needed under the heaviest enemy fire with complete disregard or his own safety. About 0300 hours on 4 February 1951 another man was wounded so badly as to require immediate evacuation and again not litter teams were available. Without hesitation he had the man loaded to his back and moved down the hill on a repetition of his previous terrible trip. Sergeant First Class Swanson’s gall; ant actions and fearless devotion to his fallen comrades reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the United States Medical Service.