Ordinary Seaman Robert Sweeney
Robert Augustus Sweeney became a crew member of the USS Kearsarge after joining the U.S. Navy in New Jersey. His brave exploits included one where he saved the Seaman E.M. Christofferson when he fell overboard. He didn’t hesitate a second as he saved the struggling man and went on to receive the Medal of Honor for his incomparable act.
Sweeney’s next exploit came in December 1883, when a boy was rescued in a similar situation as E.M. Christofferson, as he fell overboard among moored ships in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
He had help from another man as both of them jumped to rescue the struggling youngster. The two received the prestigious Medal of Honor and it made Sweeney to date the only African-American to have laid their hands on the medal twice.