From the Charleston Daily Mail: <http://www.dailymail.com/news/News/2001061218/> Navy names ship after W.Va. soldier Medal of Honor winner died fighting in Korea Kristen Comer/Daily Mail Staff <kristencomer@dailymail.com> Tuesday June 12, 2001; 12:15 PM CLINTONVILLE -- Nearly 50 years ago, a Greenbrier County native was killed in the Korean War and earned a Medal of Honor posthumously. This year, his country honors him again. The U.S. Navy has named a new cargo ship for the West Virginia soldier. Christened the USNS Pomeroy in San Diego, the ship measures 950 feet in length and has a cargo-carrying capacity of more than 380,000 square feet. The navy has slated its launch for early fall. The ship honors the memory of Army Private First Class Ralph E. Pomeroy, born and raised near Quinwood. Pomeroy's brother Curtis said his family appreciates the recognition. "It was wonderful," he said. "But it seemed like it was a long time coming. He gave his life for his country." Pomeroy's sister, Rose Crow, has spent most of her life in Greenbrier County. "I thought naming the ship after Ralph was really great," she said. "I'm looking forward to watching its launch." According to a Navy press release, Pfc. Pomeroy was killed in action Oct. 15, 1952, near Kumbwa, Korea. Pomeroy, 22, protected his platoon by manning a machine gun at the end of a trench. When the enemy attacked, they concentrated their fire on Pomeroy's position. Even after he was severely wounded, he continued operating his machine gun. Finally, his gun mount was so damaged that he picked up his weapon and used it as a club in hand-to-hand combat. He was mortally wounded soon after. According to the press release, Pomeroy's "brave actions cost him his life but enabled his platoon to hold their position." Pfc. Pomeroy was wounded once before, not long after he arrived in Korea. The family didn't learn this until after his death. "He never told us he was wounded," Crow said. "He didn't want us to worry." A bridge in Greenbrier County, a barracks in Fort Rucker, Ala., another barracks in Seoul, Korea, and an armory in Rainelle already bear the soldier's name. The Navy announced the naming of the new ship about a year ago, Curtis Pomeroy said. Crow's husband, Charles, a retired Air Force tech sergeant, said he grew up only a mile from the Pomeroys. "Ralph was just an all-around good boy, a well-liked individual," he said. Rose Crow agreed. "We all loved him growing up," she said. "He was really a great guy." Pfc. Pomeroy was one of nine children. Crow said most of her siblings will travel to South Carolina in the fall to watch the ship's launch. "We appreciate everything done in Ralph's honor," she said. Curtis Pomeroy added, "Our family is a really close-knit group." Pfc. Pomeroy worked for a coal company near Quinwood before he joined the Army. He was an avid sports fan and played baseball, basketball and football in high school. The USNS Pomeroy, constructed by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company and christened in March, is one of the Navy's largest ships. Military Sealift Command will operate the USNS Pomeroy and its seven sister ships. These ships will transport fuel, equipment and supplies for the military and may perform missions for the U.S. Department of Defense. The ship will have a crew of nine members. A room in the ship will be dedicated to Pfc. Pomeroy's memory. The Navy plans to display photographs of Pomeroy and his family, a Bible and the U.S. and West Virginia flags. Pfc. Pomeroy is buried in the At the End of the Trail Cemetery in Clintonville, not far from the place where he was born and raised. Writer Kristen Comer can be reached a 348-4886.