For Ronald Rosser, military service was more than duty—it was deeply personal. Having already spent three years in the U.S. Army, he re-enlisted for one reason: revenge.
His younger brother, Richard, had been killed in action during the Korean War, and Rosser was determined to make the enemy pay. His courage on the battlefield would not only give him his vengeance but also the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award.
Born in 1929 in Columbus, Ohio, Rosser was the eldest of 17 children. Protective by nature, he spent much of his youth scrapping to defend his siblings. He first joined the Army in 1946 at just 17, serving as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne and later stationed in postwar Japan. After completing his service, he returned home to work as a coal miner—until war called again.
In 1951, Rosser’s brother was killed in Korea, and that loss ignited a fire in him. “You can’t kill my brother and get away with it,” he later said. He reenlisted almost immediately. In January 1952, as part of the 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, he found himself in the notorious “Iron Triangle” of Korea, facing a heavily fortified Chinese position. With his company pinned down, Rosser made a bold decision.
Armed with only an M2 carbine and a single grenade, he charged straight into enemy fire. He cleared multiple bunkers, killed dozens of enemy soldiers, and, despite being wounded, returned again and again to the battlefield for more ammunition. After exhausting his supplies, he led an orderly withdrawal while ensuring wounded comrades made it to safety.
Ronald Rosser’s fearless assault that day was more than an act of personal vengeance—it was an extraordinary display of heroism. His bravery earned him the Medal of Honor and a place among the greatest heroes of the Korean War. Read more of his incredible story here.
We think that one of the best ways to give back to those who gave so much during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam is to make sure that they are taken care of in their retirement years. That’s why we support a bill we call the Elder Relief Act. Learn more here.