Ensign Swisher was the pilot of a F9F-2 Pantherjet fighter with Fighter Squadron 191 aboard the carrier USS Princeton (CVA-37). On 27 July 1952, while on a combat air patrol (CAP), his aircraft suffered a mid-air collision and crashed into the sea. He was listed as Missing in Action. He was presumed dead on 27 July 1952. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

For his leadership and valor, Ensign Swisher was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Gold Star, the Air Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.