Ronald E. Rosser

Ronald Eugene Rosser 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.

Military service

Born on October 24, 1929, in Columbus, Ohio, Rosser was the oldest of 17 children. He joined the United States Army as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division in 1946 at age 17 shortly after World War II 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 1951 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 38th 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. During his service, he also earned a Combat Infantry Badge, Glider Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder badge, Parachute Rigger and Army Recruiter Badge.
Rosser returned to the United States in May 1952 and was formally presented with the Medal of Honor by President Harry Truman a month later, on June 27, 1952.
On September 20, 1966, another of Rosser's brothers, PFC Gary Edward Rosser, USMC, was killed in action, this time in the Vietnam War. Rosser requested a combat assignment in Vietnam, but was rejected and retired from the army soon after.

Awards and decorations

Medal of Honor citation

Rosser's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

Personal life

Rosser was born to John Milton and Edith Marie Riffle Rosser, he was the eldest of 17 children. He grew up in Crooksville, Ohio in a six bedroom house on Washington Street.
Rosser resided in West Palm Beach, Florida, for thirty years. While he lived in Florida he was a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service. He lived in Roseville, Ohio. He was the father of Pamela Lovell.
Rosser served on the advisory board of the Motts Military Museum in Groveport, Ohio.
Rosser died on August 26, 2020, in Bumpus Mills, Tennessee.