Skip Navigation
Ralph Eugene Pomeroy
Courtesy Military Sealift Command

West Virginia
Veterans Memorial

Remember...

Ralph Eugene Pomeroy
1930-1952

"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."

Medal of Honor citation

Ralph Eugene Pomeroy was born on March 26, 1930, in Quinwood, West Virginia, the second of nine children born to George Emery and Garnet Lilly Pomeroy.

Ralph attended Crichton High School, where he was a player on the basketball and football teams. He graduated with the class of 1948. Before he entered the army, he was employed by the Imperial Smokeless Coal Company in Quinwood.
George and Garnet Pomeroy receiving Medal of Honor for Ralph Pomeroy
George and Garnet Pomeroy
receiving Medal of Honor
for Ralph Pomeroy

Ralph Pomeroy entered the army on October 17, 1951, and was sent to Hawaii for more training before he went to Korea. In Korea, Pvt. Pomeroy was a machine gunner assigned to the 31st Infantry Regiment. On October 15, 1952, he and his platoon were in an area known as "Triangle Hill" near Kumhwa, Korea. While his comrades were securing the site Ralph was at the end of the trench manning his machine gun to prevent his unit from being flanked by the enemy. His efforts blunted the enemy attack when it came but resulted in his being the target of a mortar attack. Although wounded, he continued firing at the enemy. His gun mount was so heavily damaged that he picked up his weapon and engaged in hand-to-hand combat. Ralph was mortally wounded a short time later.

Ralph Eugene Pomeroy grave marker
Ralph Eugene Pomeroy grave marker

On January 10, 1953, Pvt. Ralph E. Pomeroy was buried at End of the Trail Cemetery near Clintonville, West Virginia. For his actions at Triangle Hill, he posthumously was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, which was presented to his parents on December 16, 1953.

By resolution of the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1994, the Route 19 bridge south of Summersville, which had been known as Hughes Bridge, was renamed the Ralph Eugene Pomeroy Memorial Bridge in his honor.
Legislative Resolution
Legislative Resolution

USNS Pomeroy
USNS Pomeroy
Courtesy Military Sealift Command
On March 10, 2001, the Navy launched a strategic sealift ship named the USNS Pomeroy in Ralph Pomeroy's honor. The ship was christened by Ralph's sister Arlene Pomeroy Castle.

Honor...

West Virginia Archives and History welcomes any additional information that can be provided about these veterans, including photographs, family names, letters and other relevant personal history.


Veterans Memorial Database

West Virginia Veterans Memorial

West Virginia Archives and History

West Virginia Archives and History