During her World War II career, the destroyer U.S.S. Swanson saw action in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean. She aided in escorting over a thousand ships. Forty seven owe their lives to the quick rescue work by the ship, who also took part in nine invasions, rendering close-in gun fire support at Cape Fedhala, North Africa; Admiralty Islands, New Guinea; Tanahmerah Bay, New Guinea ; Biak Island, New Guinea; and Noemfoor Island, and Cape Sansapor, New Guinea.

The Swanson earned eight battle stars for the following operations:

1 Star- Algeria-Morocco landings 8-11 Nov. 1942.

1 Star- Sicilian occupation 9-15 July 1943.

1 Star- Sunk the German sub. U-173.

1 Star- Cape Gloucester, New Guinea, New Britain Island 21 Feb – 1 March 1944; Admiralty Islands landings 11, 14-22 March 1944.

1 Star- Hollandia Operation 21-26 April, 1-9 May 1944.

1 Star- Biak Island operation 27 May – 7 June 12-17 June 1944. Noemfoor Island Operation 2-7, 12-19 July 1944. Cape Sansapor Operation 30 July – 2 Aug. 1944.

1 Star Raids on Volcano-Bonin Island and Yap 31 Aug. –Sept. 1944. Capture and occupation of Southern Palau Islands 6 Sept. 14 Oct. 1944. Assaults on the Philippine Islands 9-24 Sept.

1 Star Battle of Surigao Strait 24-26 Oct. 1944 3^rd Fleet Supporting operations, Okinawa attack 10 Oct. 1944. North Luzon and Formosa attacks 11-14 Oct. 1944. Luzon attacks 15, 17-19 October 1944.

USS Swanson also awarded the Navy Occupation Service Medal for the period of 8 Sept.-23 Oct.1945.