Citation: 

First Award - Peace Time Heroism Rank and organization:  Ordinary Seaman, U.S. Navy.  Place and date: Hampton Roads, Virginia, 26 October 1881.   Born. 1853 Montreal, Canada. Accredited to: New Jersey. G.O. No.: 326, 18 October 1884. Citation: Serving on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge, at Hampton Roads, Va., 26 October 1881, Sweeney jumped overboard and assisted in saving from drowning a shipmate who had fallen overboard into a strongly running tide.

Second Award - Peace Time Heroism Rank and organization: Ordinary Seaman, U.S. Navy.   Place and date:  Navy Yard, NY, 20 December 1883.  Born. 1853 Montreal, Canada. Accredited to: New Jersey. G.O. No.: 326, 18 October 1884. Citation: Serving on board the U.S.S. Jamestown, at the Navy Yard New York, 20 December 1883, Sweeney rescued from drowning A. A. George, who had fallen overboard from that vessel.