President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Honor to former Army Capt. William Swenson on Tuesday. Swenson was honored for his actions in a battle against Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan in 2009.

WASHINGTON — The former Army captain who received the Medal of Honor Tuesday has asked to return to active duty in the Army, a rare move by an officer who has lived to wear the military’s highest award.

Two U.S. officials tell The Associated Press that William Swenson has submitted a formal request to the Army and officials are working with him to allow his return.

Swenson was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama at the White House Tuesday for risking his life to recover bodies and save fellow troops during a lengthy battle against the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2009.

Swenson, 34, left the military in February 2011 as a captain, but he could rise to the rank of major once he rejoins. To return to active duty, Swenson will have to pass a physical, a drug test and other routine reviews. But officials Tuesday said they were optimistic it would all fall into place.

It is rare, if not unprecedented, for an officer holding the Medal of Honor, to rejoin the service and go back on active duty. Officials were unsure if that had ever happened before.

Swenson also has a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal and lives in Seattle.