William Alan Swoveland

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to William Alan Swoveland (RA16804215), Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving as Scout Section Leader with the 2d Platoon, Troop C, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry, Americal Division, on 25 August 1968 near Tam Ky, Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Swoveland’s Troop was heavily engaged with an estimated North Vietnamese Army Battalion. The Infantry unit working with his troop was pinned down due to intense fire. Sergeant Swoveland noticed that several infantrymen were wounded and lying helplessly in the open. Reacting instinctively, Sergeant Swoveland leaped from his armored carrier assault vehicle, and charged through the enemy fusillade to a point within 20 meters of the enemy positions to give the exposed litter patients aid, and carry them under intense fire, to safety. Observing several more wounded comrades in exposed positions, Sergeant Swoveland returned to the forefront to brave the intense small arms, automatic weapons, and recoilless fire and reach his wounded comrades. Sergeant Swoveland was fatally wounded during this selfless act of courage and devotion to his fellow soldiers. His extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life saved the lives of two wounded soldiers, and inspired his comrades to eventually annihilate the numerically superior force. His actions are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself, and the Armed Forces.
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 36 (June 6, 1969)