Meritorious Service Medal
- Awarded on: May 29, 2009
- Invested on: November 13, 2009
Rank: Corporal
On April 21, 2008, insurgents attacked a police substation, in Spin Pir, Afghanistan. In the absence of the detachment commander and second-in-command, Corporal Swanson was the senior Canadian at the substation. Given his rank and limited experience at that time, he coordinated an exceptional response to the attack. In the presence of enemy fire, he confidently directed Canadian and Afghan forces in the defence of the detachment, making effective use of all available surveillance and direct-fire assets. His leadership and devotion to duty prevented the loss of the detachment.
