George H . Ramer Second Lieutenant George Henry Ramer ( March 27 , 1927 – September 12 , 1951 ) was a United States Marine Corps officer who posthumously received the Medal of Honor — the United States ’ highest military decoration for heroism — for his actions in Korea on September 12 , 1951 , when he sacrificed his life during a fearless attack on an enemy position . He was the 27th Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Korean War . Second Lieutenant Ramer , who had been an enlisted U . S . Navy sailor during World War II , was cited after leading an attack by the third platoon of Company I , 3rd Battalion , 7th Marines , 1st Marine Division . 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 . Biography . George Henry Ramer was born on March 27 , 1927 in Meyersdale , Pennsylvania . He attended elementary school in Salisbury , Pennsylvania , and graduated from Lewisburg High School in 1944 in Lewisburg , Pennsylvania . He enlisted in the Navy on August 11 , 1944 and served until June 5 , 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 , Virginia , 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 , Pennsylvania , before he was called to active duty at his own request on January 3 , 1951 . Completing the Basic Course at Quantico , Virginia , in April 1951 , 2dLt Ramer embarked the following month for Korea . Before his death he saw action in the campaigns against the Chinese Communist Spring Offensive and in the United Nations Summer - Fall Offensive . His remains were returned to the United States in December 1951 and interred in Lewisburg Cemetery , Lewisburg , Pennsylvania . The Medal of Honor was presented to his widow on January 7 , 1953 by Secretary of the Navy Daniel A . Kimball in Washington , D . C . In addition to the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart awarded for his fatal wounds , 2dLt Ramer ’ s decorations include the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars and the United Nations Service Medal . Medal of Honor citation . 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 In honor . Ramer Hall , dedicated to 2ndLt Ramer , is a combat conditioning facility , at The Basic School , Quantico , Virginia , which was opened in 1963 .