Clayton Swanson wounded fighting in Afghanistan
A 2008 San Benito High School graduate recently received a
Purple Heart after getting wounded while fighting in
Afghanistan.
Private Second Class Clayton Swanson received the Purple
Heart
– for soldiers wounded or killed – at a ceremony on Sept. 3. It
came from Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, who was visiting
troops outside Kandahar, Afghanistan, according to Clayton’s
father, Gifford.
Clayton Swanson wounded fighting in Afghanistan
A 2008 San Benito High School graduate recently received a Purple Heart after getting wounded while fighting in Afghanistan.
Private Second Class Clayton Swanson received the Purple Heart – for soldiers wounded or killed – at a ceremony on Sept. 3. It came from Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, who was visiting troops outside Kandahar, Afghanistan, according to Clayton’s father, Gifford.
Swanson, who joined the Army on Sept. 11, 2009, was wounded in action as a member of the Screaming Eagles, 101st Airborne, just weeks after arriving to his base in the southern part of the country. After the injury, he was soon out fighting alongside the other members of his platoon, his father said.
Clayton is the son of Maureen and Gifford Swanson and the brother of Megan and Clark.
Gifford Swanson noted regarding his son how joining the Army was “something he’s always wanted to do.”
His son went to Afghanistan at the beginning of June, shortly before his injuries. His father doesn’t even know the exact circumstances surrounding what led to the Purple Heart because Clayton hasn’t told him yet.
Gifford Swanson recalled the talk with his son, who told him it’s “one of those stories for around the campfire – I’ll tell you when I come home.”
His father does know he needed physical therapy.
He also noted how Gates awarded 15 medals that day, including four Purple Hearts. The family is hopeful Clayton can come home for an 18-day leave in December.
