The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor (First Award) to Ordinary Seaman Robert Augustus Sweeney, United States Navy, for gallant and heroic conduct while serving on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge, at Hampton Roads, Virginia 26 October 1881. Ordinary Seaman Sweeney jumped overboard and assisted in saving from drowning a shipmate who had fallen overboard into a strongly running tide.

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor (Second Award) to Ordinary Seaman Robert Augustus Sweeney, United States Navy, for gallant and heroic conduct while serving on board the U.S.S. Jamestown, at the Navy Yard New York, 20 December 1883. Ordinary Seaman Sweeney rescued from drowning A. A. George, who had fallen overboard from that vessel.