*DEWERT, RICHARD DAVID
Rank and organization: Hospital Corpsman,
U.S. Navy. Hospital Corpsman attached to Marine infantry company, 1st Marine Division. Place
and date: Korea, 5 April 1951. Entered service at: Taunton, Mass. Birth:
Taunton, Mass.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a
HC, in action against enemy aggressor forces. When a fire team from the point platoon of
his company was pinned down by a deadly barrage of hostile automatic weapons fired and
suffered many casualties, HC Dewert rushed to the assistance of 1 of the more seriously
wounded and, despite a painful leg wound sustained while dragging the stricken marine to
safety, steadfastly refused medical treatment for himself and immediately dashed back
through the fireswept area to carry a second wounded man out of the line of fire.
Undaunted by the mounting hail of devastating enemy fire, he bravely moved forward a third
time and received another serious wound in the shoulder after discovering that a wounded
marine had already died. Still persistent in his refusal to submit to first aid, he
resolutely answered the call of a fourth stricken comrade and, while rendering medical
assistance, was himself mortally wounded by a burst of enemy fire. His courageous
initiative, great personal valor, and heroic spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of
overwhelming odds reflect the highest credit upon HC Dewert and enhance the finest
traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
