Joseph Van Swearingen
Joseph Van Swearingen (1800-1837) - Born circa February 1800. A career U.S. Army infantry officer who served in the Black Hawk War and the Second Seminole War where he was killed, 25 Dec 1837, in the Battle of Okee-cho-bee, Florida.
He entered the United States Military Academy 16 Jul 1819 and graduated in the Class of 1824 ranking 30th out of 31.
Captain Joseph Van Swearingen was one of four officers killed on Christmas day, 1837, while advancing against hostile Seminole Indians at the battle of Okee-cho-bee, Florida. He is buried at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. Battery Van Swearingen at Fort Pickens, Florida, is named after him.
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