De Wert (FFG 45) - Naval Cruise Book

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RICHARD DE WERT Richard De Wert was born in Tauton, Massachusetts on 17 November 1931. He enhsted 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 the U.S. Naval Hospital Corps School at the same location. His initial assignment was to the Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, Virgin- ia. 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 participation 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 for- ward, treated the man ' s wounds, and carried him to safety. He then immediately answered a sec- ond call for aid, although himself wounded in the leg. Ignoring his injury, and despite the warnings of his shipmates, De Wert moved forward a second time through intense enemy gunfire. Wounded a third time, in the shoulder, De Wert ar- rived to find the marine already dead. Hearing the call of a fourth comrade, De Wert 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 the Secretary of the Navy, Dan A. Kimball on 27 May 1952. USS DE WERT (FFG 45) is the first ship to bear his name.

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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 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.

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COMMANDING OFFICER COMMANDER ALBERT T. CHURCH HI UNITED STATES NAVY Commander Church is a native of Newport, Rhode Island and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1969. After commissioning he was assigned to USS HALSEY (CG 23), serving as Assistant Combat Information Center, and later CIC Officer. Upon completion of Department Head Course in 1971, Commander Church served as Operations Officer on USS O ' CALLAHAN (FF 1051) and Chief Engineer on USS RACINE (LST 1191). Subsequent shore assignments include NMPC-4 and NPS Monterey, earning a Masters Degree in Financial Management in 1979. Commander Church commanded USS EXCEL (MSO 439) from August 1979 until October 1981. He next attended the Command and Staff Course, Naval War College, graduating with distinction in 1982. From April 1983 to April 1985 Command- er Church served as Executive Officer, USS FOX (CG 33). He reports from OPNAV where he served in the Surface Warfare Program and Budget (OP-30) and the General Planning and Programming Division (OP-90). Commander Church ' s personal awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal with Gold Star, and the Combat Action Ribbon.