First intelligence community valor medal awarded

First intelligence community valor medal awarded
Posted by Jonathan Landay
McClatchy Blog
11/11/08

Four years after he was killed in Iraq, a Marine Corps lance corporal has been selected as the first recipient of the Intelligence Community Medal of Valor.

Lance Cpl. James E. Swain, an intelligence analyst with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regimental Combat Team, 1st Marine Divison, died during the Battle of Fallujah on Nov. 15, 2004, according to an announcement issued by Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell. He was from Kokomo, Ind.

According to McConnell, Swain was manning a vehicle mounted machine gun during an operation to collect targeting intelligence. As his colleagues were about to enter a building, he noticed that insurgents had set up an ambush and he opened fire. His shots alerted the other Marines and averted the ambush, but left Swain exposed, and he was mortally wounded.

Swain's family is to be presented with the award, which recognizes heroism and courage, at a ceremony at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Va., on Nov.14.