Corporal Ransom was a veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was a member of the 456th Military Police Company, 24th Infantry Division. On 5 August 1951, he volunteered to make a reconnaissance of the main supply route. As he was returning he tried to ford a turbulent stream, but his jeep was overturned and he drowned.

For his leadership and valor, Corporal Ransom was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean War Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.