Richard P. Ross Jr.

Richard Potts Ross Jr. (March 18, 1906 – October 6, 1990) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. He is most noted for his service with the 1st Marine Division during the Battle of Okinawa and later during the Occupation of North China.

Early years

Richard P. Ross was born on March 18, 1906, in Frederick, Maryland, as the son of Richard P. Ross Sr. and attended the Staunton Military Academy in Staunton, Virginia. Following the graduation in summer of 1923, he received appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and graduated on June 2, 1927. He was commissioned second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on the same date.

Ross was ordered to the States in July 1943 and attached to the Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., as operations and training officer, Division of Plans and Policies under Brigadier General DeWitt Peck. He spent almost one year in this capacity, before he was ordered back to the Pacific theater in June 1944 and attached to the 1st Marine Division under Major General William H. Rupertus at Russell Islands.

In April 1945, Ross took part in the battle of Okinawa and because of the course of the battle, he held temporary command of 1st Battalion, 1st Marines for two days after its commander has been wounded in action and subsequently assumed command of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines on May 21, 1945. He led his 3rd Battalion during the fierce fighting and his marines took part in several hand-to-hand combats and bayonet charges. Ross and his battalion also fight with lack of food and supplies, but 96th Infantry Division provided rations to his marines.

Ross remained with his unit in the combat area until the end of June 1945 and received the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for his brilliant leadership during the battle. He also received his second Navy Presidential Unit Citation.

During October 1945, Ross and his regiment were ordered for guard duty of rail line between Tanggu and Qinhuangdao and also for protection of coal mines in Tangshan. Their goal was to make sure, that coal destined for Shanghai moved uninterrupted along the line, but activity of communists guerrilla units increased and marines outposts came under fire at several occasions. Ross participated in the operations against communists guerillas until the end of January 1946, when he was ordered back to the United States. He was decorated with the Legion of Merit by the U.S. Army and his second Bronze Star Medal by the Marines. Ross also received Order of the Cloud and Banner, 5th Class by the Government of Republic of China.