Clinic ceremony honors Korean War hero

By Kimberly K. FritzJanuary 10, 2013

Cake cutting

Col. Joseph S. Pina, Kenner Army Health Clinic commander, Howard Mosier and Col. Edward M. Daly, Chief of Ordnance and commandant of the U.S. Army Ordnance School cut a cake at a reception following the dedication of Mosier Troop Medical and Dental ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEE, Va. (Jan. 10, 2013) -- An Army medic who was killed in action by enemy sniper fire while trying to save a wounded comrade 62 years ago in Uijongbu, Korea, received special recognition here on Jan. 3 when Troop Medical and Dental Clinic 2 on the Ordnance Campus was named in his honor.

Cpl. William Clarence "Billy" Mosier was remembered on the 62nd anniversary of his death. The memorialization ceremony hosted by Kenner Army Health Clinic was attended by Maj. Gen. Larry D. Wyche, Combined Arms Support Command and Fort Lee commanding general, and many of Mosier's family members, including his brother Howard, a Navy veteran.

KAHC Commander Col. Joseph S. Pina welcomed the Mosier family to Fort Lee and shared highlights of the corporal's career. The Tennessee native was only 16 years old when he joined the Army and started training at nearby Fort Pickett before serving in Korea.

Citing duty, honor and courage, Pina described how Mosier provided care on the battlefield. "He helped the wounded without concern for his safety," the colonel said. "He fought with courage and confidence."

Mosier was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action. The citation states he was assigned to the Medical Company of the 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, when the unit's defensive positions were attacked. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he moved through the enemy fire to the wounded man and administered first aid as small arms fire struck all around him. When he realized it was impossible for him to evacuate the wounded man, he picked up the Soldier's rifle and moved forward to the crest of a hill where he fired on the enemy's position killing several of them. He continued to fire on the enemy's position until he was killed.

"At age 18, no older than most of the students who use TMC 2 now, Corporal Billy Mosier was killed in service to his country and an American family halfway around the world (mourned for a loved one) who paid the ultimate price to his country," Pina said. "It is fitting that we dedicate this clinic, a bastion of compassion and care for students of the Ordnance School, to such a man."

Pina said Mosier was one of 812 Army recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross for the Korean War but was no different than the medics, civilians and patients who occupy the facility today. "He was a young man who simply and voluntarily did his duty and supremely honored our country," he said.

Col. Edward M. Daly, Chief of Ordnance and commandant of the U.S. Army Ordnance School, also thanked the Mosier family members who traveled from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Delaware to attend the ceremony.

"Billy's heroism was unparalleled as fierce fighting against the advancing Chinese would not only test the mettle of the American Soldier but would ultimately demonstrate the finest qualities of our troops," Daly said. "Today, we fittingly memorialize Corporal Mosier by permanently naming this Troop Medical Clinic in honor of this brave combat medic and selfless Soldier. The Mosier Troop Medical and Dental Clinic, as it will be known from this day forward, has already aided 27,000 Soldiers since it opened in September 2011 and it will continue to support our Soldiers much like the way Corporal Mosier did."

Daly continued by saying the teams at the facility are the "best he's seen" and they provide top-notch care to the more than 3,000 Ordnance Soldiers and Marines training there.

"They truly demonstrate and live the statement 'medics never stand taller than when they kneel to treat the wounded,'" he said.

Frank Mosier, a nephew to the corporal, said the family was honored to be there for the dedication.

"The way everything was presented made us feel even more proud of what he gave his life for," he said. "We realize that the military does so much for the country and never asks for anything in return. In our eyes, they are all heroes."