Ronald E. Rosser

Ronald Eugene Rosser

Medal of Honor recipient Ronald Rosser
Born (1929-10-24) October 24, 1929
Columbus, Ohio
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1946–1949, 1951–1968
Rank Sergeant First Class
Unit 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division
Battles/wars Korean War
Awards Medal of Honor
Purple Heart

Ronald Eugene Rosser (born October 24, 1929) is a former United States Army soldier who received the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Korean War.

Military service

Born on October 24, 1929, in Columbus, Ohio, Rosser was the oldest of seventeen children. He joined the Army in 1946 at age 17 for a three-year term of service. After one of his brothers was killed in the early stages of the Korean War, he re-enlisted from Crooksville, Ohio, in 1951 as a way of getting revenge. Initially stationed in Japan, Rosser requested to be sent into combat and was then deployed to Korea with the heavy mortar company of the 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division.[1]

Rosser in 2012

On January 12, 1952, Rosser, by then a corporal, was acting as a forward observer with Company L's lead platoon during an assault on a heavily fortified hill near Ponggilli. When the unit came under heavy fire, Rosser went forward three times and attacked the hostile positions alone, each time returning to friendly lines to gather more ammunition before charging the hill again. Although wounded himself, he helped carry injured soldiers to safety once withdrawal became necessary. For these actions, Rosser was awarded the Medal of Honor.[2]

Rosser returned to the United States back in May 1952 and was formally presented with the Medal of Honor by President Harry Truman a month later, on June 27, 1952.[1]

In 1968, another of Rosser's brothers was killed in action, this time in the Vietnam War. Rosser requested a combat assignment in Vietnam but was rejected and subsequently retired from the Army.[1]

Medal of Honor citation

Rosser's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

Cpl. Rosser, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. While assaulting heavily fortified enemy hill positions, Company L, 38th Infantry Regiment, was stopped by fierce automatic-weapons, small-arms, artillery, and mortar fire. Cpl. Rosser, a forward observer, was with the lead platoon of Company L when it came under fire from 2 directions. Cpl. Rosser turned his radio over to his assistant and, disregarding the enemy fire, charged the enemy positions armed with only carbine and a grenade. At the first bunker, he silenced its occupants with a burst from his weapon. Gaining the top of the hill, he killed 2 enemy soldiers, and then went down the trench, killing 5 more as he advanced. He then hurled his grenade into a bunker and shot 2 other soldiers as they emerged. Having exhausted his ammunition, he returned through the enemy fire to obtain more ammunition and grenades and charged the hill once more. Calling on others to follow him, he assaulted 2 more enemy bunkers. Although those who attempted to join him became casualties, Cpl. Rosser once again exhausted his ammunition, obtained a new supply, and returning to the hilltop a third time hurled grenades into the enemy positions. During this heroic action Cpl. Rosser single-handedly killed at least 13 of the enemy. After exhausting his ammunition he accompanied the withdrawing platoon, and though himself wounded, made several trips across open terrain still under enemy fire to help remove other men injured more seriously than himself. This outstanding soldier's courageous and selfless devotion to duty is worthy of emulation by all men. He has contributed magnificently to the high traditions of the military service.[2]

Civilian life

Rosser reached the rank of Master Sergeant before leaving the military and resided in West Palm Beach, Florida, for thirty years. He now lives in Roseville, Ohio. He is the father of Pamela [nee Rosser] Lovell.[3]

Rosser currently serves on the advisory board of the Motts Military Museum in Groveport, Ohio.[4]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ronald E. Rosser.

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
  1. 1 2 3 Collier, Peter (2006). Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty. New York: Workman Publishing Company. p. 225. ISBN 978-1-57965-314-9.
  2. 1 2 "Medal of Honor recipients - Korean War". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 5, 2010. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
  3. ↑ http://www.historicpalmbeach.com/eliot-kleinberg/2010/12/medal-of-honor-awardees-made-homes-here/
  4. ↑ http://www.mottsmilitarymuseum.org/rosser.html
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