Namesake:

Hospitalman Richard De Wert

Richard De Wert was born in Taunton, Massachusetts on 17 November 1931. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 2 December 1948 at the Naval Recruiting Station, Boston. After basic training at the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois, he attended U.S. Naval Hospital Corps School at the same location. His initial assignment was to the Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, Virginia.

On 28 July 1950, Hospitalman De Wert joined the 1st Medical Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, at Camp Pendleton, California, which deployed to Korea. On 17 December, he landed at Inchon and assisted in the activation of the division hospital. Within a fortnight he took part in the liberation of Seoul, the South Korean capital.

On 6 March 1951, after participating in several combat operations, De Wert was transferred to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines. On the morning of 5 April, "D" Company was advancing up a ridge against stubborn resistance from Chinese Communist Forces. A marine from the company's point platoon was wounded, and fell in an exposed position. De Wert unhesitatingly rushed forward, treated the man's wounds, and carried him to safety. He then immediately answered a second call for aid, although himself wounded in the leg.

Ignoring his injury, and despite the warnings of his shipmates, De Wert moved forward a third time through intense enemy gunfire. Wounded a second time, in the shoulder, De Wert arrived to find the marine already dead. Hearing the call of a fourth comrade, De ert again ignored his own wounds and bravely moved through the exposed area. While tending to the fourth marine, De Wert was killed by a burst of enemy machine gun fire.

Hospitalman Richard De Wert was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, which was presented to his mother, Mrs. Evelyn H. De Wert, by Secretary of the Navy, Dan A. Kimball on 27 May 1952.

Mission:

Historical Notes:

Ship's Crest:

The Shield: Dark blue and gold are the colors of the Navy. The scarlet cross, edged in gold, represents Richard DE WERT's service as a Hospitalman with the U.S. Marine Corps. The anchor and globe are adapted from the marine corps emblem, and also symbolize the world-wide mission of the ship. The taeguk superimposed thereon denotes DE WERT's service in Korea, where he gave his life.

The Crest: The crest commemorates Richard DE WERT's conspicuous gallantry, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor, represented by the reversed light blue star. The four rays, for hope, represent the four times DE WERT courageously exposed himself to enemy fire to save his wounded shipmates. The small stars represent valor; the sprigs of oak, strength. The ship's motto "Daring, Dauntless, Defiant" expresses the courageous sacrifice of DE WERT, and serves as an inspiration to the men who man the warship named in his honor.

PHOTOS