Pomeroy was born in Quinwood, Greenbrier County, and joined the Army in 1951. After training in Hawaii, he was sent to Korea, where he served as a machine gunner with the 31st Infantry Regiment.

On October 15, 1952, during a battle near Triangle Hill, Pomeroy positioned his machine gun to stop an enemy attack. Even after his gun was destroyed and he was wounded, he kept fighting. Pomeroy continued to engage the enemy with his gun and even fought hand-to-hand until he was mortally wounded. His bravery helped his unit hold off the enemy.

In 1953, Pomeroy's parents received his Medal of Honor on his behalf. West Virginia honored him by renaming a bridge on U.S. 19 south of Summersville, and the Navy named a ship after him in 2001.