b. 26/03/1930 Quinwood, West Virginia. d. 15/10/1952 Kangwon, Korea.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 15/10/1952 near Kumhwa, Korea.
Ralph E Pomeroy MOH
Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Private First Class (Machine Gunner) in the United States Army in Company E, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action near Kumhwa, Korea on October 15, 1952. He was killed in action. His father George was presented with his Medal of Honor at The Pentagon on December 16, 1953 by Secretary of the Army, Robert T. Stevens.
MOH 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 posiiton, 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 to 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.
BURIAL LOCATION: AT THE END OF THE TRAIL CEMETERY, CLINTONVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA.
OLD SECTION C.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
