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Pomeroy (T-AKR-316)

2001–

The first U.S. Navy ship named in honor of Private First Class Ralph E. Pomeroy who was a U. S. Army soldier killed in action during the Korean War and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions near Kumhwa, Korea, on 15 October 1952.

Ralph E. Pomeroy was born on 26 March 1930 in Quinwood, W.V. As a machine gunner with Company E, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, U.S. Army,  he was serving his weapon at the end of a communication trench on a forward slope to protect his platoon flank in order to prevent a surprise attack. When the enemy attacked through a ravine leading directly in to his firing position, he immediately opened fire on the advancing troops inflicting a heavy toll upon them, blunting the assault. Meanwhile, the enemy directed intense concentrations of artillery and mortar fire on his position in an attempt to neutralize his gun. Despite heavy fire and bursting shells, he maintained his position and poured extensive fire into the ranks of the enemy force until a mortar burst severely wounded him and rendered the gun mount inoperable. Quickly removing the weapon, he cradled it in his arms and moving forward fired at the attacking forces. Although wounded a second time he continued until his ammunition was expended within 10 feet of the enemy forces and then, using the machine gun as a club, he engaged them in hand-to-hand combat until mortally wounded. Pfc. Pomeroy's actions enabled the platoon to contain the attack and maintain the integrity of the perimeter.

(T-AKR-316: displacement 62,644; length 950'; beam 106'; draft 34'; speed 24 knots; complement 30 civilian and 5 active duty; class Watson)

Pomeroy (T-AKR-316) was laid down on 25 April 2000 at San Diego, Calif., by National Steel & Shipbuilding Company.; and launched on 10 March 2001. She entered non-commissioned U.S. Navy service with the Military Sealift Command (MSC) with a primarily civilian crew on 14 August 2001. A non-combatant Large, Medium-Speed, Roll-on/Roll-off (LMSR) vessel, Pomeroy and other ships of her class are used to pre-position tanks, trucks, various wheeled vehicles and supplies needed to support an army heavy brigade. She is assigned to Afloat Prepositioning Ship Squadron Four.

Detailed history pending.

Paul J. Marcello

4 January 2016

Published: Thu Jan 07 12:19:42 EST 2016