George H. Ramer
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| George Henry Ramer | |
|---|---|
| March 27, 1927 - September 12, 1951 | |
  George H. Ramer, Medal of Honor recipient |
|
| Place of birth | Meyersdale, Pennsylvania |
| Place of death | Killed in action on Heartbreak Ridge, Korea |
| Allegiance | USMC |
| Years of service | 1944-1945 (USN) 1950-1951 (USMC) |
| Rank | Second Lieutenant |
| Unit | 3rd Battalion 7th Marines |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Second Lieutenant George Henry Ramer (27 March 1927 – 12 September 1951) was a United States Marine Corps officer who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor — the United States’ highest military decoration for heroism — for his actions in Korea on 12 September 1951, when he sacrificed his life during a fearless attack on an enemy position. He was the 27th Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Korean War.
Second Lieutenant Ramer, who had been an enlisted U.S. Navy sailor during World War II, was cited after leading an attack by the third platoon of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st 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.
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[edit] Biography
George Henry Ramer was born on 27 March 1927 in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania. He attended elementary school in Salisbury, Pennsylvania, and graduated from high school in 1944 in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the Navy on 11 August 1944 and served until 5 June 1946.
Upon his return to civilian life, he entered Bucknell University where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.[1] He graduated in February 1950, with a Bachelor's degree#United Statesf in Political Science and History. While attending college, he enrolled in the Marine Corps Reserve Platoon Leader’s 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 in 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, 2dLt 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 returned to the United States in December 1951 and interred in Lewisburg Cemetery, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
In addition to the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart Medal awarded for his fatal wounds, 2dLt Ramer’s decorations include the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars and the United Nations Service Medal.
The Medal of Honor was presented to his widow on 7 January 1953 by Secretary of the Navy Daniel A. Kimball in Washington, D.C.
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
SECOND LIEUTENANT GEORGE H. RAMER
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Leader of the Third Platoon in Company I, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced) in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 12 September 1951. Ordered to attack and seize hostile positions atop a hill , vigorously defended by well entrenched enemy forces delivering massed small-arms, mortar and machine-gun fire, Second Lieutenant 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 one enemy bunker with grenade and carbine fire and captured the objective with his remaining eight 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 three fatally wounded Marines. Severely wounded a second time, Second Lieutenant 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 Second Lieutenant Ramer and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
/S/ HARRY S. TRUMAN
[edit] In honor
Ramer Hall, dedicated to 2ndLt Ramer, is a combat conditioning facility, at The Basic School, Quantico, Virginia, which was opened in 1963. [2]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Phi Gamma Delta's "Gold Star" men in Korea, The Archives, The Fraternity of Phi Delta Gamma. Retrieved on 2006-07-01.
- ^ Welcome Aboard — Officer Student SOP for the Basic School, The Basic School, Quantico, Virginia, United States Marine Corps. (Word document) Retrieved on 2006-07-01.
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.
- Second Lieutenant George H. Ramer, USMCR, Who's Who in Marine Corps History, History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved on 2006-07-01.
- 2dLt George H. Ramer, Medal of Honor, 1951, 3/7/1, Korea, Medal of Honor citation. Retrieved on 2006-07-01.
