Page 11
Ohio Valley Military Society
2014
Show of Shows
VETERAN GUESTS
Autograph
NOTE:
A fee may be charged for some veteran autographs.
Ronald E. Rosser
was born on October 24, 1 2 , in Columbus, Ohio, Rosser was the second oldest of
seventeen children. He joined the Army in 1 46 at age 1 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 1 51 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 3 th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division.
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.
Rosser returned to the United States in May 1 52 and was formally presented with the Medal of Honor by
President Harry Truman a month later, on June 27, 1952.
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.
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.
Rosser currently serves on the advisory board of the Motts Military Museum in Groveport, Ohio.
CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION:
“
Cpl. Rosser, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. While as-
saulting 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 gre-
nade. 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 coura-
geous and selfless devotion to duty is worthy of emulation by all men. He has contributed magnificently to
the high traditions of the military service.”