NEWARK -- Standing in front of a crowd of Licking County veterans, Sgt. 1st Class Ronald E. Rosser described the 10-hour Korean War battle that made him a recipient of the Medal of Honor.
He talked about the freezing temperatures and the brutal hand-to-hand combat with the Chinese Army. He explained how he faced battalions of Chinese soldiers alone with just a few grenades and his gun.
But instead of talking about the medal around his neck, his focus was the bravery of all the soldiers who fought with him that day in Korea.
"The American soldiers over there were outstanding," he said. "They fought and died without complaint."
A resident of Roseville in Muskingum County, Rosser, 82, is one of 82 Medal of Honor recipients still alive.
On Friday evening, members of nine veterans groups gathered at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1060 in Newark to honor him and hear his story.
The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military honor, given by Congress to soldiers who risk their lives in combat beyond the call of duty.
"Not too many people get to meet a Medal of Honor recipient," said Frank Luciotti, commander of AMVETS Post 345 and past president of VFW Post 1060. "To have him alive and telling his story is fantastic."
Sponsored by the Licking County Veterans' Service Commission, the dinner was a collaboration between AMVETS Post 345 and VFW Post 1060.
Luciotti met Rosser five years ago and always hoped to bring him to Licking County to honor him.
Friday's dinner was a way for local veterans groups to get together and show their appreciation, he said.
Rosser was presented with a plaque and an honorary membership in VFW Post 1060.
"We are in the presence of a real American hero," Luciotti told the crowd Friday. "You probably won't ever get another opportunity like this in your life."
Rosser enlisted in the Army at age 17 and served from 1946 to 1949, said Janice Wheaton, Licking County Veterans' Service Commission director.
He was planning to return to civilian life, but in 1951 his younger brother was killed in the Korean War, Wheaton said.
In honor of his brother, Rosser reenlisted in the Army and requested to go to Korea. When he arrived in Korea, he was amazed by the brutal terrain and terrible fighting.
"It was continuous fighting, day and night," he said.
On Jan. 12, 1952, Rosser was assigned to a raiding party that was supposed to sneak up on a battalion of Chinese soldiers.
The battle was so fierce that the group of 170 men was reduced to 35.
Rosser volunteered to lead the remaining 35 up to the Chinese trenches. By the time he got there, he was the only one who hadn't been killed or seriously injured.
Instead of turning back, Rosser jumped into the trench with the enemy.
"I figured I wasn't getting out alive, but I'd take as many as I can with me," he said.
Rosser survived the attack and went back to the trenches at least two more times, killing at least three dozen Chinese soldiers.
He also was able to help protect the wounded soldiers until they were able to get to safety, he said.
"I was doing what everyone else was doing," he said. "I was doing the best I could."
When Rosser found out he was a candidate for the Medal of Honor, many of his superiors wanted him to leave the front lines. But he refused to go until the rest of his men left.
He received his medal Jan. 27, 1952.
Rosser made a career in the military, retiring after 20 years of service.
Today he speaks about his experiences all over the world.
"I talk about the American soldiers who served with me," he said. "They served honorably and bravely."
Rosser said he especially enjoys talking to schoolchildren about the sacrifices veterans made for their freedom.
"I tell the kids, '(Our generation) of Americans gave you the greatest gift possible, the U.S. as a free nation,'" he said. "All we ask is that they turn it over that way to their children."
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