Ralph E. Pomeroy

Holding a machine-gun position near Kumhwa

Ralph Eugene Pomeroy was born on 26 March 1930 in Quinwood, West Virginia. He served as a private first class and machine gunner with Company E, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division.

On 15 October 1952 near Kumhwa, Korea, Pomeroy defended his platoon's flank against an attack through a ravine. He continued firing under artillery and mortar bombardment. Wounded and with his gun mount disabled, he carried the weapon forward and kept firing. After his ammunition ran out, he fought at close quarters until he was mortally wounded. His stand helped the platoon maintain its perimeter.

Secretary of the Army Robert Stevens presented Pomeroy's posthumous Medal of Honor to his father, George, on 16 December 1953. He is buried in At the End of the Trail Cemetery in Clintonville, West Virginia.

Medal of Honor 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.