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Corporal · U.S. Army

Ronald Eugene Rosser

Corporal Ronald Eugene Rosser, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on January 12, 1952 near Ponggilli, Korea during the Korean War.

Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Corporal Ronald Eugene Rosser received the Medal of Honor for his actions on January 12, 1952 near Ponggilli, Korea during the Korean War. At the time he was serving with Headquarters Company (Heavy Mortar), 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Rosser was 22 years old.

The medal was presented on June 27, 1952 — the White House (Rose Garden), presented by Pres. Harry S. Truman. He later rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class (ret..

Rosser was born on October 24, 1929 in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. His Medal of Honor is credited to Crooksville, Perry County, Ohio. Rosser died on August 26, 2020 in Bumpus Mills, Tennessee, at the age of 90. He is buried at Iliff Cemetery in McLuney, Ohio.

Rosser is one of 153 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War and one of 256 credited to Ohio.

Official 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 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 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 singlehandedly 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.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Wounds and injuries

What the citation records about his wounds:

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.
  • Age at death: 90
  • Resting place: Iliff Cemetery

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, Ronald Eugene Rosser received:

Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Korean War.

Places

  • Born: Columbus — map
  • Died: Bumpus Mills — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Ohio →

Timeline

  1. October 24, 1929
    Born in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio
  2. January 12, 1952
    Act of valor — near Ponggilli, Korea
    Age 22. Headquarters Company (Heavy Mortar), 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division
  3. June 27, 1952
    Medal of Honor presented
    The White House (Rose Garden), presented by Pres. Harry S. Truman
  4. August 26, 2020
    Died in Bumpus Mills, Tennessee
    Age 90.
  5. Resting place
    Iliff Cemetery
    McLuney, Ohio

Biography

Ronald Eugene Rosser (October 24, 1929 – August 26, 2020) was a United States Army soldier who received the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for thrice attacking a hill alone, killing 13 enemies while wounded and carrying wounded comrades to safety one winter day in the Korean War.

From the Wikipedia article “Ronald E. Rosser”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

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Further reading

More Korean War recipients from Ohio

Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.