Corporal Ronald E. Rosser
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 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 grenade. 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 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.
Cpl. Rosser: We humbly salute you and thank you for your service.
Hat tip Home of Heroes
There are seventy nine living MoH recipients today. Their names and their stories should not be forgotten. My mission is to honor one of those heroes here each week, and salute them for their courage and sacrifice. In the words of John Fitzgerald Kennedy:
“A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces, but also by the men it honors; the men it remembers.”
Posts
Yeah, they mentioned this guy over at Huffington some time back. They said the only reason he joined up was because they had free food and he couldn't get a job anywhere else.
ReplyDeleteIf this ain't true, it ought to be.
According to the Korean War Veterans Association: Sergeant First Class
ReplyDeleteRonald Rosser had joined the Army as soon as he could do so after
turning 17, in
1946. He served for three years and left the service. When
his kid brother was killed in Korea, Rosser
re-entered the service and demanded service in Korea in
order to avenge his brother’s death. No mention of free food or jobs, but I can't imagine Huff Po getting anything wrong! /sarc
If memory serves, there actually were comments in Congress several years ago from our esteemed gentlemen from the left wing to the effect that the only reason young people joined the military was because they didn't have the brains, skills or intelligence needed to find a job. I want to say it might have been Pelosi or somebody like her, but the point was to denigrate (can I still use that word?) people in the service.
ReplyDeleteFrankly, we could use a lot more men like Corporal Rosser, and we damn sure could show them more respect than they get. After 9/11, I made it a habit to occasionally pick up the tab for service guys in restaurants, especially if they're in uniform and they're with their families, and I don't wait around for embarrassing thank yous. Makes my day.
It was the illustrious, and French looking John Kerry who made that remark about our servicemen. And Kerry should know. While serving in Viet Nam, he received three small pricks, (giving him a total of four), for which he claimed Purple Hearts, and the right to flee the field of battle, and the men he commanded, faster than a scalded dog.
ReplyDeleteThree small pricks for John, one large serving as Secretary of State.