Posted on 11/10/2007 8:46:51 AM PST by buccaneer81
55 years later, he's still a hero
For this week, Ronald E. Rosser is Elvis. He is Justin Timberlake.
Rosser is one of only two surviving Medal of Honor recipients in Ohio. Generals and presidents salute him. Adults get tongue-tied in his presence.
"This outstanding soldier's courageous and selfless devotion to duty is worthy of emulation by all men," reads his medal citation from the Korean War.
He was 22 when he earned the medal as a member of a heavy mortar company in the Army's 2nd Infantry Division. On Jan. 12, 1952, he killed 13 of the enemy when he repeatedly charged their positions after his unit came under heavy fire. When he ran out of ammunition, he would go back, reload, and charge again. Then, wounded himself, he helped recover other wounded soldiers from the field.
He is now 78, lives in Muskingum County and walks with a cane. Every year, he's the star of Veterans Day. He serves as the permanent grand marshal of the Columbus Veterans Day Parade. People ask him to make appearances all over.
But somehow, he had never before fired the cannon on the Statehouse lawn. Other dignitaries have -- the governor's wife, various state senators and representatives. But never Rosser. In fact, he had not fired an artillery piece since Korea.
He was scheduled to for the parade yesterday, though members of the 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Statehouse Battery A, who are in charge of the cannon, couldn't believe it would actually happen.
"This is going to be so sweet if it comes off," said Brent Nimmo, 50, of the East Side, standing in his Civil War re-enactor's uniform. "So awesome. A Medal of Honor recipient going to fire the cannon."
Nimmo was one of seven people in the battery's crew. Rosser was due to arrive just before the 11:30 a.m. firing.
The battery fires the canon on Veterans Day and other special occasions, scaring the fool out of everyone Downtown, even if they know about it beforehand. It's one of four original Civil War-era cannons at the Statehouse. The one fired yesterday, called a 12-pound Napoleon, was cast in Cincinnati in 1864.
About 11:20, Nimmo said, "I'm keeping my eyes peeled for him." Then two minutes later: "Ahh! There he is!"
Rosser came riding in a Motts Military Museum Jeep, driven by Warren Motts, the museum's founder. Rosser stepped out in a suit, with his medal around his neck, and everyone in a uniform saluted.
"It's an honor, sir," said Paul Hanly, 58, of Westerville, the battery member who showed Rosser how to pull the lanyard at the top of the cannon, making it fire.
Hanly put him through a practice run with the primer, the little charge that ignites the big charge. Rosser had a little trouble, so Hanly put his hand over Rosser's and helped him pull.
Then it was time for the real thing. Battery members loaded the charge. Everyone stepped into position. Rosser held the lanyard with Hanly there. Then Rosser pulled.
The explosion rattled teeth 100 yards away. Rosser disappeared in the smoke, then reappeared, still holding the lanyard.
"That felt good," he said.
jeb.phillips@dispatch.com
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Heavy Mortar Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division
Place and date: Vicinity of Ponggilli, Korea, 12 January 1952
Entered service at: Crooksville, Ohio. Born: 24 October 1929, Columbus, Ohio
G.O. No.: 67, 7 July 1952.
Citation: [1]
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.
I would be in awe in his presence. SALUTE!!
Big guns on wheels bump
I thought that was an odd analogy, too....especially Justin Timberlake????!!! The guy who coined the term “wardrobe malfunction?”
I don’t have anything against Justin Timberlake, but ANY Medal of Honor winner has done light-years more for this country than Mr. Timberlake.
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