Navy Federal Credit Union

Master Sergeant Waymon R. Ransom (ASN: RA-16148573), United States Army, was held as a Prisoner of War after he was captured during the Korean War on 11 November 1950 and was held until he successfully escaped captivity the following day.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Master Sergeant

    Regiment:

    24th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 11, 1950

    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 295 (May 10, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Master Sergeant Waymon Robert Ransom (ASN: RA-16148573), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Master Sergeant Ransom distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Yonchon, Korea, on 11 November 1950. On that date, the Regimental Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon, while moving by motor convoy in the vicinity of Yonchon, encountered deadly automatic-weapons fire from a large, well-concealed enemy force occupying commanding positions. Ordering his men to dismount and seek cover, Sergeant Ransom moved to an exposed position and advanced while delivering a steady stream of effective counterfire into the enemy strongpoint. Although wounded several times, he continued to move toward the hostile positions. When his supply of ammunition was exhausted, he engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat until they overcame him and left him for dead. The outstanding courage, grim determination, and selfless devotion to duty of Sergeant Ransom enabled his comrades to withdraw with minimum casualties. His extraordinary heroism on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.