Navy Hospital Corpsman Bergman was attached to Company I, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was shot in the back by the enemy near Chonwonsan-Dong, Korea, while tending his wounded comrades and died of those wounds on 22 June 1952.

Bergman was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

Silver Star Medal awarded for actions during the Korean War:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Hospitalman Robert Arnold Bergman (NSN: 2357326), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Corpsman attached to Company I, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in Korea, on 16 June 1952. When the squad to which he was attached was ambushed by the enemy, and the forward elements of the unit were pinned down within 20 yards of the assigned objective by intense hostile small-arms and grenade fire, Hospitalman Bergman unhesitatingly dashed forward through a hail of enemy fire to survey the area for casualties. Learning that medical assistance was not required at the point of the squad, he bravely raced across 150 yards of open, fire-swept terrain to reach the main body of the unit and to administer medical aid to the wounded during a heavy barrage of hostile mortar fire. Although severely wounded by enemy fire while treating a stricken Marine, he refused to be evacuated and calmly instructed another member of the squad in administering aid to the casualty. Subsequently evacuated from the area, he later succumbed to the wounds received in this action. By his outstanding courage, daring initiative and selfless efforts in behalf of his comrades, Hospitalman Bergman served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Action Date: June 16, 1952

Service: Navy

Rank: Hospitalman

Company: Corpsman (Attached), Company I

Battalion: 3d Battalion

Regiment: 7th Marines

Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.)