The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, 1LT Robert Leslie Ross, who died in the service of his country on August 22nd, 1968 in Darlac Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Mortar Mishap. At the time of his death Robert was 22 years of age. He was from Peabody, Massachusetts. Robert is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel W47, Line 31.
The decorations earned by 1LT Robert Leslie Ross include: the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.
Lt Ross was a Forward Observer working with A, 2/35th. His parent unit was B Battery, 2/9th Artillery. He was killed in a 4.2 mishap on FSB Jackie.
Buried in OAK GROVE CEMETERY, WEST PEABODY, MA
From "The Peabody Times", August 26, 1968:
The ninth Peabody native to become a casualty of the Vietnam War was killed in action several days ago, the Department of Defense reported Thursday.
Army First Lieutenant Robert L. Ross, who was recently promoted to his present grade, became the third Peabody resident to be killed in Vietnam this summer.
Lt. Ross, 22, the son of William I. and Alice (Robinson) Ross, 24 Broad St., Peabody, was killed in a mission west of Kontum while keeping the North Vietnamese from attacking the city. He was assigned to Company A, 3rd Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division.
Ross graduated from Peabody High School in 1964, and entered the Army in August 1966, taking both basic and advanced Infantry training at Fort Dix New Jersey.
After his advanced training, he completed Officers Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and was assigned to Fort Ord Calif. There he was a training officer and executive officer.
Lt. Ross was a member of the Boy Scouts, and the youth group of the West Congregational Church. He was also an officer in the West Peabody Grange.
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(His BSM Citation)
The Bronze Star Medal Is Presented To First Lieutenant Robert L Ross
For distinguishing himself by outstanding meritorious service in connection with ground operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Through his untiring efforts and professional ability, he consistently obtained outstanding results. He was quick to grasp the implications of new problems with which he faced as a result of the ever-changing situations inherent in a counterinsurgency operation and to find ways and means to solve those problems. The energetic application of his extensive knowledge has materially contributed to the efforts of the United States mission to the Republic of Vietnam to assist that country in ridding itself of the communist threat to its freedom. His initiative, zeal, sound judgment, and devotion to duty have been in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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