The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Sergeant Richard W. Dembeck, United States Marine Corps, for heroism while serving with Third Force Service Regiment, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, Okinawa, Japan on 7 December 1975. Present at the scene of an explosion that took the lives of two Marines, wounded ten, two of whom later died of their wounds in the hospital, Sergeant Dembeck, although wounded in the back, both arms, and legs and without feeling or control of his left hand, came to the aid of others within seconds of the initial blast. Under the direction of the duty Corpsman, Sergeant Dembeck, with complete disregard for his own safety and fully aware of the personal dangers involved, unhesitatingly maneuvered through unexploded ordnance and scattered explosives, bandaging and controlling the bleeding of the more seriously wounded and reassuring each man until additional medical aid arrived. Accepting evacuation himself only after being ordered to do so and being assured his presence was no longer required, Sergeant Dembeck was instrumental in preventing a greater loss of life and adding the necessary element of stable professionalism required; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.