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 Orval E. Swenson (ASN: 37162253), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of ****, Normandy, France, on 14 July 1944. When his platoon was suddenly pinned down by enemy machine gun fire, Private Swenson, a Browning Automatic Rifleman acting as point for his platoon, voluntarily crawled forward to the nearest machine gun position, opened fire and destroyed the crew. Approaching another enemy machine gun, Private Swenson was wounded but continued to fire at the enemy until his squad outflanked the enemy. The courage, devotion to duty, and utter disregard for personal safety on the part of Private Swenson enabled our forces to take a strongly defended enemy positions, served as an inspiration to other members of his platoon, and reflects great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.