George Henry Ramer
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Medal of Honor Recipient
Korean War

George Henry Ramer was born on 27 March 1927 in Meyersdale, PA. He attended elementary school in Salisbury, PA, and graduated from Lewisburg High School in 1944 in Lewisburg, PA. 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. He graduated in February 1950, with a Bachelor's degree 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, VA, 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, PA, before he was called to active duty at his own request on 3 January 1951.

Completing the Basic Course at Quantico, VA, in April 1951, 2dLt Ramer embarked the following month for Korea. After arriving in Korea, he saw action in the campaigns against the Chinese Communist Spring Offensive and in the United Nations Summer-Fall Offensive.

On 12 September 1951, Second Lieutenant Ramer led the third platoon of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, First Marine Division, on an attack against a hilltop being used as an enemy stronghold. 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.

For his acts of heroism and self-sacrifice that day, Second Lieutenant George Henry Ramer was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor; the United States' highest military decoration for heroism. He was the 27th Marine to receive the Medal of Honor during the Korean War.

Medal of Honor

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

The Medal of Honor was presented to his widow on 7 January 1953 by Secretary of the Navy Daniel A. Kimball in Washington, DC.

Other Medals and Awards

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Ramer was awarded the following:

Purple Heart
Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
United Nations Service Medal

Honors

Ramer Hall, dedicated to the memory of Second Lieutenant George Henry Ramer, is a combat conditioning facility, at The Basic School, Quantico, VA, which was opened in 1963.

Death and Burial

Second Lieutenant George Henry Ramer was killed in action on 12 September 1951. In December 1951, his remains were interred at Lewisburg Cemetery Lewisburg, PA.