Career
Svehla joined the Army in 1951. By June 12, 1952, Svehla was a private first class serving in of Korea as a rifleman with Company F, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. On that day, his platoon came under heavy fire and he charged forward to attack the enemy.
When a grenade landed amidst his group, he smothered the blast with his body in order to protect those around him.
He was killed in the explosion. His remains have never been recovered.
A White House press release describes Svehla"s actions: Disregarding his own safety, he destroyed enemy positions and inflicted heavy casualties. When an enemy grenade landed among a group of his comrades, without hesitation and undoubtedly aware of the extreme danger, he threw himself on the grenade.