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Korean War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
2nd Lt. George Henry Ramer, United States Marine Corps
Marine Second Lieutenant George Henry Ramer, 24, has been posthumously awarded the Nations highest military decoration for heroism in Korea on 12 September 1951, when he sacrificed his life during a fearless attack on an enemy position. He is the 27th Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for heroism in Korea.
Lieutenant Ramer, a Navy enlisted man in World War II, was cited after leading an attack by the third platoon of Company I, Third Battalion, Seventh Regiment, First Marine Division. Although he and most of his men were wounded while fighting their way through vicious machine-gun, mortar and small-arms fire, he continued to lead the assault on the enemy-held hilltop, personally destroying an enemy bunker and directing his capture of the position.
When the enemy immediately began an overwhelming counter-attack he ordered his men to withdraw and fought single-handedly to cover the withdrawal and the evacuation of three fatally wounded Marines. Wounded a second time, he refused aid, ordered his men to shelter and continued to fight until he was fatally wounded as the enemy overran his position.
Lieutenant Ramer was born 27 March 1927, at Meyersdale, Pennsylvania. He attended elementary school at Salisbury, Pennsylvania, and graduated from high school in 1944 at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the Navy on 11 August 1944, and served until 5 June 1946.
Upon his return to civilian life Lieutenant Ramer entered Bucknell University, from which he graduated in February 1950, with a Bachelors degree in Political Science and History. While attending college, he enrolled in the Marine Corps Reserve Platoon Leaders program, completing summer training courses at Quantico, Virginia, in 1947 and 1948. He was commissioned in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1950 and taught high school civics, history and problems of democracy at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Before he was called to active duty at his own request on 3 January 1951.
Completing the Basic Course at Quantico, Virginia, in April 1951, Lieutenant Ramer embarked the following month for Korea. Before his death he saw action in the campaigns against the Chinese Communist Spring Offensive and in the United Nations Summer-Fall Offensive. His remains were brought to the United States in December 1951, and interred at Lewisburg Cemetery, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
In addition to the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart Medal awarded for his fatal wounds, Lieutenant Ramers decorations include the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars and the United Nations Service Medal.
The medal was presented to his widow, Mrs. Jeanne Ramer of Lewisburg, 7 January 1953, by Secretary of the Navy Dan A. Kimball at Washington, D.C. Attending the ceremony were his mother, Mrs. Maude S. Ramer of Loysville, Pennsylvania and his sister, Mrs. Ethel Coulter of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
CITATION:
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Company I, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.). Place and date: Korea, 12 September 1951. Entered service at: Lewisburg, Pa. Born: 27 March 1927, Meyersdale, Pa. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of the 3d Platoon in Company I, in action against enemy aggressor forces. Ordered to attack and seize hostile positions atop a hall, vigorously defended by well-entrenched enemy forces delivering massed small-arms mortar, and machine gun fire, 2d Lt. Ramer fearlessly led his men up the steep slopes and although he and the majority of his unit were wounded during the ascent, boldly continued to spearhead the assault. With the terrain becoming more precipitous near the summit and the climb more perilous as the hostile forces added grenades to the devastating hail of fire, he staunchly carried the attack to the top, personally annihilated 1 enemy bunker with grenade and carbine fire and captured the objective with his remaining 8 men. Unable to hold the position against an immediate, overwhelming hostile counterattack, he ordered his group to withdraw and single-handedly fought the enemy to furnish cover for his men and for the evacuation of 3 fatally wounded marines. Severely wounded a second time, 2d Lt. Ramer refused aid when his men returned to help him and, after ordering them to seek shelter, courageously manned his post until the hostile troops overran his position and he fell mortally wounded. His indomitable fighting spirit, inspiring leadership and unselfish concern for others in the face of death, reflect the highest credit upon 2d Lt. Ramer and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Courtesy of Find A Grave
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