The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal William C. Swafford (ASN: 34397672), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the FIFTH Army, in action on 23 October 1944, near Mount Grando, Italy. Corporal Swafford took part in a patrol mission of reconnoitering high ground in front of his company’s positions. Crawling up the slope of a hill through a heavy fog, he observed the outline of a machine gun and two Germans on an embankment directly above him. With a bold and daring movement, Corporal Swafford jumped up, grasped the enemy machine gun by the barrel, pulled it out of position and threw it away from the Germans. Taking advantage of his surprise movement, he killed one German and captured the other. Later, while accompanying his platoon leader in a reconnaissance, Corporal Swafford heard Germans talking and the unmistakable sound of a machine gun bolt. Making his way through the fog, he observed a German machine gun barrel protruding from a church window. Corporal Swafford raised himself along the side of the wall and, with one bold sweep of his hand, grasped the machine gun by the barrel and pulled it from the window. At this time several other enemy machine guns began to spray the street with deadly bursts of fire. Firing his captured machine gun, Corporal Swafford momentarily silenced the enemy while he and his platoon leader withdrew to safety. The bravery and daring display by Corporal Swafford exemplify the high traditions of the American Soldier and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.