Roseville Post Office renamed for Ronald Rosser

ROSEVILLE − The extraordinary life of a larger than life man was honored on Monday, as the Roseville Post Office was renamed for Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Ronald E. Rosser.

Rosser was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions in battle during the Korean War on Jan. 12, 1952. When his unit was hit by enemy fire, he attacked heavily fortified positions on a hill near Ponggilli, killing at least 13 enemy soldiers, according to a biography on the Medal of Honor Society website. After attacking the enemy positions three times, he helped evacuate wounded American soldiers despite being wounded himself. He was awarded the medal later that year by President Harry S. Truman.

Rosser died on August 26, 2020. He was 90 years old.

Congressman Troy Balderson was the driving force behind the renaming. He met Rosser while serving in the Ohio Senate. "It was an honor to get to do this," Balderson said, "The greater honor was getting to know him."

"He was a true great American," Balderson said.

Balderson said it took several years to get the post office renamed, as it took an act of congress to do so. He brought several of his staff members who worked on the project with him to Roseville American Legion Post 71 for the ceremony. President Joe Biden signed Public Law 117-274 into law on Dec. 27, 2022.

U.S. Army Captain (retired) Monika Stoy said she thought of four words when she thought of Rosser; duty, honor, country and family. Captain Stoy escorted Rosser back to Korea for a visit, and her husband, U.S. Army Lt. Col. (retired) Timothy Stoy worked with Rosser to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War. "Ron was not just a soldier, not just a storyteller, but his legacy we have to carry on," she said. "Ron Rosser's story will not be forgotten, Ron Rosser's legacy must live on."

Lt. Col. Stoy called working with Rosser an "unforgettable adventure."

"His deeds speak for themselves," said Jim Savage, Rosser's brother-in-law. "Ron's family, friends and country loved him, I was fortunate enough to call him my friend."

Rosser used to refer to his nephew George, as his official pusher. George spent 25 years travelling with his uncle, and "put 100s of miles on his wheelchair." George said "Ron was a man who loved his family, his country and his flag."

George said he and his uncle had a lot of heart to heart conversations over the years. "He would always tell me to make a difference when you can, always do what is right," he said. The senior Rosser talked about the importance of honesty, honor and leadership.

"It is an honor to pay tribute to him, and see things come to fruition."

'He always did for what he could for everybody and anybody, for it to come around to where we are showing the respect for what he had done, it means a lot."

Pam Lovell, his daughter, described the naming of the post office as "awesome," and later showed Balderson the medal worn by her father.

"I think he would be honored, to be recognized by this," George said. "I think it would be up there with everything he has ever done, to be there remembered in this way."

ccrook@gannett.com

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This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Roseville Post Office renamed for Ronald Rosser