The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Theodore L. Swager (ASN: 36890666), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company G, 398th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division, in action at Goetzenbruck, France, on 1 February 1945. While returning from a raid in which an enemy machine gun had been destroyed, the patrol of which Private Swager was a member was threatened with encirclement by hostile forces. Volunteering to cover the withdrawal of his comrades, Private Swager held the enemy at bay until the patrol made its escape. Then, as he himself withdrew, he discovered a wounded soldier who had become a casualty in the action. Although near the point of physical exhaustion, he lifted the wounded man to his back and was making his way to friendly lines when he was painfully wounded by hostile artillery fire, but courageously continued on his way. He was again wounded in a second artillery bombardment and, unable to walk, crawled to our positions, where he refused medical attention until he had directed rescuers to the wounded soldier. Private Swager’s gallantry and devotion to his injured comrade exemplified the highest traditions of the armed forces.