The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Roy Willard Swanson (ASN: O-1796727), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding Officer, Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Hoengsong, Korea. On 12 February 1951, the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, and two battalions of artillery were executing a withdrawal by motor convoy when an enemy roadblock was encountered and the column subjected to intense enemy mortar, small-arms and automatic weapons fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Captain Swanson organized a group of the convoy personnel and led them in an attack against the enemy emplacements. When it became evident that his unit would be entirely surrounded by the numerically superior hostile force, Captain Swanson devised a plan of escape, then directed his men to withdraw and rejoin the remainder of the convoy while he remained behind to cover the withdrawal. In the course of this action, he was hit by a burst of small-arms fire and killed. The gallantry displayed by Captain Swanson on this occasion reflected great credit on himself and the military service.