Medal of Honor: George H. Ramer, Korean War, September 12, 1951

George H. Ramer 

War: Korean War

Date of Action: September 12, 1951

Unit: Company I, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced)

Born: March 27, 1927 – Meyersdale, Pennsylvania

The hill near Satae-ri was a fortress of stone and steel, bristling with machine guns, mortars, and rifles. To the Marines of Company I, the order was simple but deadly: seize the summit. At the head of the assault, leading his 3rd Platoon, was Second Lieutenant George H. Ramer.

As his men clawed their way up the steep, grenade-laced slopes, Ramer pressed forward despite being wounded, urging his Marines upward through sheets of fire. Near the summit, he personally silenced an enemy bunker with grenades and carbine fire, giving his battered platoon a fighting chance. With only eight Marines still able to fight, Ramer’s determination carried them to the top of the hill.

But the enemy counterattack was swift and overwhelming. Outnumbered and outgunned, Ramer ordered his Marines to withdraw. He did not follow them. Instead, he stood his ground, firing rifle and grenade until he was wounded a second time. When some of his men tried to pull him back, he refused, insisting they save themselves and the fatally wounded. Alone, he held the line until enemy troops overran his position and killed him.

When Marines returned to the hill, they found the ground around his last stand littered with enemy dead—silent testimony to the courage of a leader who chose to sacrifice himself so others might live.

Medal of Honor Citation

Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of the 3d Platoon in Company I, in action against enemy aggressor forces. Ordered to attack and seize hostile positions atop a hill, vigorously defended by well-entrenched enemy forces delivering massed small-arms, mortar, and machine gun fire, 2d Lt. Ramer fearlessly led his men up the steep slopes and although he and the majority of his unit were wounded during the ascent, boldly continued to spearhead the assault. With the terrain becoming more precipitous near the summit and the climb more perilous as the hostile forces added grenades to the devastating hail of fire, he staunchly carried the attack to the top, personally annihilated 1 enemy bunker with grenade and carbine fire and captured the objective with his remaining 8 men. Unable to hold the position against an immediate, overwhelming hostile counterattack, he ordered his group to withdraw and single-handedly fought the enemy to furnish cover for his men and for the evacuation of 3 fatally wounded marines. Severely wounded a second time, 2d Lt. Ramer refused aid when his men returned to help him and, after ordering them to seek shelter, courageously manned his post until the hostile troops overran his position and he fell mortally wounded. His indomitable fighting spirit, inspiring leadership and unselfish concern for others in the face of death, reflect the highest credit upon 2d Lt. Ramer and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.