Kammala jumla mai zuwa: Yayin da yake aiki a matsayin Seaman a cikin jirgin ruwa mai guba a ranar 29 ga Agusta, 1861, Swearer ya shiga cikin kama Fort Clark a Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina. Domin hidimarsa a lokacin wannan aiki, da aka sani da
An ba da lambar yabo ta Medal of Honor a ranar 3 ga Afrilu, 1863.