Lyman Knute Swenson was born in Pleasant Grove, Iowa, on 23 October 1892. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1916 and served in surface combatants and submarines, including command of USS H-6 (SS-149) in 1919. Later, he commanded USS Isabel (PY-10) and Destroyer Division 64. In 1941, he became captain of the new cruiser USS Juneau (CL-52), placing her in commission in February 1942. Captain Lyman K. Swenson was killed in action when Juneau was torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese submarine on 13 November 1942, just after participating in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.

USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729) was named in honor of Captain Swenson.