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President Obama awards 2nd Medal of Honor for same Afghan battle

Medal of Honor recipient Army Capt. William Swenson applauds as the family members of his fallen fellow soldiers are acknowledged, during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House on October 15, 2013 in Washington, D.C. Swenson received the Medal for his courageous actions while saving several injured comrades while serving in Afghanistan. UPI/Kevin Dietsch
1 of 2 | Medal of Honor recipient Army Capt. William Swenson applauds as the family members of his fallen fellow soldiers are acknowledged, during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House on October 15, 2013 in Washington, D.C. Swenson received the Medal for his courageous actions while saving several injured comrades while serving in Afghanistan. UPI/Kevin Dietsch | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- President Obama awarded a former U.S. Army captain the Medal of Honor Tuesday for his actions in one of the deadliest battles in Afghanistan.

During the ceremony at the White House, Obama recognized William D. Swenson for his actions against an assault by Taliban militants that killed five Americans, 10 Afghan army troops and an interpreter Sept. 8, 2009, in Afghanistan's Ganjgal valley near the Pakistan border.

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Swenson, a trainer with the Afghan National Security Forces in Kunar province in eastern Afghanistan, risked his life to recover bodies and help save fellow service members, USA Today reported.

"At moments like this, Americans like Will remind us what our country can be at its best -- a nation of citizens who look out for one another, who meet our obligations to one another not just when its easy but also when it is hard," Obama said. "Will, you are an example to everyone in this city and to our whole country of the professionalism and patriotism we should strive for if we wear a uniform or not."

Obama talked about combat video from the helicopter that came to evacuate a soldier, which showed Swenson emerge from a cloud of dust, USA Today said. The video, released by the Army in September, shows Swenson in a "simple act of act of compassion and loyalty" to his wounded comrade, Obama said.

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"He helps carry that wounded soldier to the helicopter and helps place him inside and then in the midst the whipping wind and deafening roar he does something unexpected," Obama said. "He leans in and kisses the wounded soldier on the head."

The battle raged for at least six hours and even though Afghan and U.S. forces were denied artillery fire and air support, they never relented, Obama said.

News reports said 13 U.S. troops and about 80 Afghan security force troops fought off more than 150 Taliban fighters.

Swenson, who retired from the Army in 2011, has many military decorations, including a Bronze Star Medal with Two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, a Purple Heart, an Army Commendation Medal and a National Defense Service Medal.

Swenson is the sixth living recipient to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan, The White House said.

After the ceremony, Swenson said the honor wasn't his alone, USA Today said.

"This award was earned with a team, a team of our finest," Swenson said. "This medal represents them; it represents us."

U.N. Marine Cpl. Dakota Meyer was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2011 for the same battle.

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