McClatchy reported an Army probe states that Gen Petraeus, the Afghanistan commander at the time, sought to downgrade CPT Swenson’s MOH.  CPT Swenson’s original MOH recommendation packet (the size of a telephone book) was originally lost.  After Marine CPL Dakota Meyer was awarded the MOH questions were raised about CPT Swenson.  CPT Swenson after the battle where he was recommended for the MOH, was quite vocal about superiors not providing him requested artillery and aviation support because of the controversial ROE originally implemented during Gen McCrystal’s tenure and maintained during Gen Petraeus subsequent assumption of command.  The ROE highly restricts firepower when troops are engaged in an effort to minimize civilian casualties.

CPT Swenson was not recognized after the firefight that cost the lives of four Marines and one Soldier.  He subsequently left the service and has rejected any interviews.  He voiced disappointment that the probe did not hold anyone responsible.  He said, “An institution can’t heal itself unless it can identify what its weaknesses are, and its weaknesses in this case is an individual,”.  He continued, “Behind every single institutional failure, there’s a name.”

The Army probe did not use Gen Petraeus name in describing the attempted downgrade.  MOH recommendations cannot be closed at the DoD level though commanders may recommend downgrade at any level.  McClatchy reported, “After Petraeus recommended the award downgrade, Swenson’s file was sent back to the section of the U.S. military headquarters in Kabul that processed decorations, the inspector general’s letter said. The file was never forwarded up the command chain.”

No one has been held responsible for losing CPT Swenson’s original MOH recommendation.

GRUNTSand Co’s first feature story was on CPT Swenson’s valor.

CORRECTION: CPT Swenson was not awarded a Silver Star after the battle that was subsequently upgraded to the MOH.  The article has been corrected.