Remembering World War II

Name: Lawrence Dennis Ross Rank: O683318 Service Number: First Lieutenant Service: 360th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group (Heavy), United States Army Air Forces Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart Date of Birth: January 8, 1919 Place of Birth: Roslindale, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Date of Enlistment: December 17, 1940 Place of Enlistment: Boston, Massachusetts Address at Enlistment: Roslindale, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Age at Enlistment: 21 Height: 5 feet, 8 ½ inches Complexion: Ruddy Hair color: Brown Eye color: Blue Occupation: Military Marital Status: Single Next of Kin: Mary Ross (Wife) Religion: Catholic Date of Death: June 22, 1944 Age of Death: 25 Cemetery: Woodlawn National Cemetery, Elmira, Chemung Co., New York Grave: Section F, Row 0, Grave 4026 Lawrence Dennis Ross was the son of Harry Chester Ross (1886-1953) and Margaret Grace (Murphy) Ross (1887-1970), and the husband of Mary (Havey) Ross [Jordan] (1914-2006). He was the brother of Francis Chester (Chet) Ross (1906-1970), Margaret Irene (Sister Maris Stella) Ross (1908-2002), Mary Louise Clarissa (Lou) Ross (1909-2000), Muriel Katherine Ross (1910-1986), Walter Russell "Ruck" Ross (1912-1987), Thomas Blair (Tommy) Ross (1914-1985), Joseph Ernest (Ernie) Ross (1917-1972), Rosalie Anna Ross (1921-2012), Grace Marie Ross (1924-1998), and Harry Alexander (Skippy) Ross (1929-1988). Lawrence’s father was born in Broad Cove, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia, and his mother was born in Granville Ferry, in Annapolis Co., NS. Some of his siblings were born in Nova Scotia before the family moved to the United States as well. Lawrence registered for the US Draft on October 16, 1940, in Boston, Mass. He was living in Dorchester, Suffolk Co., Mass. Lawrence and Mary had two daughters. Lawrence joined the USAAF and after enlistment was assigned to the 360th Bomb Squadron of the 303rd Bomb Group (Heavy). 2nd Lt. Lawrence Dennis Ross was killed in action. His B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber 42-97405 (nicknamed 'Mary Cary') failed to return to base from a mission over Wizernes, Germany on June 22, 1944. Their B-17 was damaged by flak, 2 of their engines were out, and they were forced to ditch in the English Channel off Beachy Head. Lawrence drowned together with four of the crew from B-17G 42-97405 ‘Mary Cary’ after bailing out over the Channel. Five crew members were rescued, and 2nd Lt. Ross’ body was recovered by the Destroyer that assisted in the rescue of the survivors. Lawrence D. Ross was initially interred at the Brookwood American Cemetery in England. His family chose to repatriate his remains and he was interred January 11, 1949, at the US Veterans Administration’s Woodlawn National Cemetery in Elmira, Chemung Co., New York.

Lawrence Dennis Ross

Sources: aircrewremembered.com findagrave US National Gold Star Family Registry honorstate.org