Medal of Honor: Richard David Dewert – Korean War – April 5, 1951

Name: Richard David Dewert
Rank: Hospital Corpsman
Branch: U.S. Navy
War: Korean War
Unit: Attached to a Marine infantry company, 1st Marine Division
Date of Action: April 5, 1951
Location: Korea

Summary of Action

On 5 April 1951, Hospital Corpsman Richard David Dewert was serving with a Marine infantry company of the 1st Marine Division during combat operations in Korea.

A fire team from the point platoon became pinned down by a deadly barrage of enemy automatic-weapons fire and suffered numerous casualties.

Without hesitation, Dewert rushed into the kill zone to aid one of the most seriously wounded Marines.

While dragging the casualty to safety, he was struck and suffered a painful wound to the leg.

He refused treatment.

Instead, he immediately ran back through the fire-swept ground to rescue a second wounded Marine and carry him out of danger.

Still the enemy fire intensified.

Undeterred, Dewert advanced a third time toward another casualty.

There he discovered the Marine had already died, and during the attempt he was seriously wounded again, this time in the shoulder.

Once more he refused first aid for himself.

Then another wounded comrade called for help.

Dewert answered immediately and moved forward again through the storm of fire.

While administering medical aid to the stricken Marine, he was mortally wounded by an enemy burst of fire.

His repeated courage, refusal to abandon the wounded, and selfless devotion to others reflected the highest credit upon himself and upheld the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Medal of Honor Citation

DEWERT, RICHARD DAVID

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 fire 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 fire-swept 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.