Name: Ralph E. Pomeroy
Rank: Private First Class
War: Korean War
Date of Action: October 15, 1952
Unit: Company E, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division
Born: March 26, 1930 – Quinwood, West Virginia
Entered Service At: Quinwood, West Virginia
Summary of Action
The icy ridges near Kumhwa erupted as Chinese forces launched a furious nighttime assault against U.S. lines. As enemy troops poured through a ravine aimed directly at his platoon’s flank, Private First Class Ralph Pomeroy — manning a forward machine gun position — met them head-on. His weapon scythed through wave after wave of attackers, holding the platoon’s perimeter while artillery and mortar shells burst around him.
A direct hit shattered his gun mount and tore into his body, but Pomeroy refused to fall back. Lifting the heavy, searing-hot weapon into his arms, he advanced alone, firing from the hip as he staggered toward the enemy. Wounded again, he kept moving until his last rounds were spent. Then, swinging the machine gun like a club, he fought the enemy face-to-face until he was mortally struck down.
His solitary courage broke the enemy attack and saved his platoon from being overrun — a final act of defiance that stands among the Korean War’s most fearless deeds.
Medal of Honor Citation
POMEROY, RALPH E.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company E, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Kumhwa, Korea, 15 October 1952. Entered service at: Quinwood, W. Va. Born: 26 March 1930, Quinwood, W. Va. G.O. No.: 97, 30 December 1953.
Citation: Pfc. Pomeroy, a machine gunner with Company E, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. While his comrades were consolidating on a key terrain feature, he manned a machine gun at the end of a communication trench on the forward slope to protect the platoon flank and prevent a surprise attack. When the enemy attacked through a ravine leading directly to his firing position, he immediately opened fire on the advancing troops inflicting a heavy toll in casualties and blunting the assault. At this juncture the enemy directed intense concentrations of artillery and mortar fire on his position in an attempt to neutralize his gun. Despite withering fire and bursting shells, he maintained his heroic stand and poured crippling fire into the ranks of the hostile force until a mortar burst severely wounded him and rendered the gun mount inoperable. Quickly removing the hot, heavy weapon, he cradled it in his arms and, moving forward with grim determination, raked the attacking forces with a hail of fire. Although wounded a second time he pursued his relentless course until his ammunition was expended within 10 feet of the foe and then, using the machine gun as a club, he courageously closed with the enemy in hand-to-hand combat until mortally wounded. Pfc. Pomeroy’s consummate valor, inspirational actions and supreme sacrifice enabled the platoon to contain the attack and maintain the integrity of the perimeter, reflecting lasting glory upon himself and upholding the noble traditions of the military service.
