Benjamin Swearer

Seaman Benjamin Swearer went ashore in a surfboat from USS Pawnee and became the first man to raise the United States flag over captured Fort Clark.

Swearer was born on May 18, 1825, in Baltimore, Maryland. During the Civil War he served in the U.S. Navy aboard USS Pawnee and later attained the rating of captain of the foretop.

On August 29, 1861, he took part in the operation against Fort Clark off Baltimore Inlet. His boat helped land troops and remained inshore to protect the force. Swearer rendered gallant service throughout the action and raised the flag after the fort fell.

Medal of Honor Citation (condensed)

Served gallantly in the surfboat operation against Fort Clark and was the first man to raise the flag on the captured fort.

Swearer received the Medal of Honor on April 14, 1864. He died on November 2, 1902, in St. Louis County, Missouri, and was buried in St. Peters Cemetery.

His record is best understood through the documented service, action, and award rather than by filling gaps with unsupported detail.