Meritorious Service Medal
- Awarded on: January 23, 2003
- Invested on: December 05, 2003
Rank: Petty Officer 2nd Class
On 23 July 2001, as second-in-command of HMCS Winnipeg’s boarding party during Operation AUGMENTATION 2001-2002, Petty Officer 2nd Class Swann displayed exemplary performance and initiative while his ship’s boarding party conducted the non-compliant boarding of an oil tanker. Under the searing heat of the Arabian Gulf, Petty Officer 2nd Class Swann personally led the four-man team that breached passive countermeasures and entered the unfamiliar and heavily fortified vessel. Once inside, the team was confronted at close quarters by angry, aggressive and determined smugglers. Petty Officer 2nd Class Swann displayed sound judgment and impressive composure under considerable stress, quickly taking charge and defusing the volatile situation. As a result, the vessel carrying 7,000 tons of smuggled oil was successfully apprehended.
