Medal of Honor: Ronald E. Rosser – Korean War – Korea – January 1952

Name: Ronald E. Rosser
Rank: Corporal
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Heavy Mortar Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division
Place: Vicinity of Ponggilli, Korea
Entered Service At: Crooksville, Ohio
Born: Columbus, Ohio

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Summary of Action

On 12 January 1952, in the vicinity of Ponggilli, Korea, Corporal Ronald E. Rosser distinguished himself during an assault against heavily fortified enemy hill positions. Company L, 38th Infantry Regiment, had been halted by intense automatic-weapons, small-arms, artillery, and mortar fire from multiple directions, leaving the lead platoon pinned down and vulnerable.

Serving as a forward observer with the lead elements, Corporal Rosser recognized that the attack could not continue without decisive action. Turning his radio over to his assistant, he armed himself with only a carbine and a grenade and charged directly into the enemy defenses. He silenced the first bunker with fire from his weapon, then reached the crest of the hill, killing enemy soldiers and moving down a trench line where he killed several more at close range.

After destroying additional enemy positions with grenades and rifle fire, Corporal Rosser exhausted his ammunition and withdrew through heavy enemy fire to resupply. Without hesitation, he charged the hill a second time, calling on others to follow him. Despite suffering casualties among those who attempted to join him, he pressed on alone, assaulting more bunkers until his ammunition was again depleted.

Undeterred, Corporal Rosser resupplied once more and made a third assault on the hilltop, hurling grenades into enemy positions and breaking their resistance. In the course of these repeated attacks, he single-handedly killed at least thirteen enemy soldiers. After the platoon withdrew, Corporal Rosser—though wounded—repeatedly crossed open terrain under fire to assist in evacuating more seriously wounded comrades.

His extraordinary courage, relentless determination, and complete disregard for personal safety exemplified the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and turned a stalled assault into a successful action.

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Medal of Honor Citation

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 two directions. Cpl. Rosser turned his radio over to his assistant and, disregarding the enemy fire, charged the enemy positions armed with only a 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 two enemy soldiers, and then went down the trench, killing five more as he advanced. He then hurled his grenade into a bunker and shot two 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 two 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 thirteen 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.