Navy Federal Credit Union

By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Aage W. Swenson (ASN: 239678), United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Second Lieutenant Swenson distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 38th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Moulins, France, 16 July 1918, while in command of a detachment which went forward to rescue wounded.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    38th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 15, 1918

    Headquarters, 3d Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders No. 22 (July 8, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Aage W. Swenson (ASN: 239678), United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with Company F, 38th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Lieutenant Swenson distinguished himself during the battle of the Marne, 15 July 1918, when the 38th Infantry Regiment was ordered to retire temporarily to the second line of defense. In the retirement the wounded had to be left in the Advanced First Aid Station. The enemy immediately occupied the territory placing guards over the wounded and taking up positions in the immediate vicinity. Sergeant Swenson, in company with Cook Jones, Company F, 38th Infantry Regiment, and Mr. Richard Shreves, Y.M.C.A., Secretary, voluntarily led a small detachment in trucks and motor cars into the enemy territory to a distance of more than a mile to recover our wounded. Under heavy fire of machine guns, artillery, and snipers they arrived at the First Aid Station and fought enemy guards and other detachments, and safely evacuated more than thirty wounded back to our lines and First Aid Station. The splendid work of Sergeant Swenson who part of the time was fighting off the enemy and assisting to place the wounded in the trucks and ambulances aided materially in the success of this rescue.