JAY L. SWENSON, Private First Class, Infantry, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 15 March 1944, at Bougainville, Solomon Islands. While he was carrying rations to soldiers in forward positions during the battle at Hill 260, the Japanese suddenly delivered a concentrated barrage of mortar fire which covered the entire perimeter. Private Swenson and a comrade took cover in a small open pit in the front lines. When an enemy mortar projectile landed in the pit, Private Swenson threw himself on the shell and was seriously wounded in absorbing the full shock of the explosion with his body. His heroic act at the risk of his own life protected his comrade and other nearby soldiers from all effects of the mortar explosion.

Mr. Swenson resides in Utah and has been a member of the Legion of Valor since 1985.