Obama Presenting Medal Of Honor To Afghan War Vet William Swenson

Obama Presenting Medal Of Honor To Afghan War Vet
President Barack Obama stands with his nominee for Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, left, currently vice chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, where the president announced he is nominating Yellen to be chair of the Federal Reserve, succeeding Ben Bernanke. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President Barack Obama stands with his nominee for Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, left, currently vice chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, where the president announced he is nominating Yellen to be chair of the Federal Reserve, succeeding Ben Bernanke. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — WASHINGTON (AP) — A former Army captain hailed for bravery during combat in Afghanistan in 2009 is adding the Medal of Honor to his list of military decorations.

President Barack Obama will bestow the nation's highest military honor on William D. Swenson on Tuesday. Vice President Joe Biden and first lady Michelle Obama will also attend the ceremony in the East Room of the White House.

The White House says Swenson is being recognized for courageous actions while he was an embedded trainer and mentor with the Afghan National Security Forces in Kunar Province in northeastern Afghanistan on Sept. 8, 2009.

Swenson retired from the military in February 2011. He has a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal and lives in Seattle.

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