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==Military Service, Tuskegee Airmen==
==Military Service, Tuskegee Airmen==


Ross' alma mater, [[West Virginia State College]] (now [[West Virginia State University]]) graduated several civil aviation classes from its own civil pilots program.<ref> West Virginia State University. "CHAPTERS FROM OUR HISTORY
⚫
Though passed over for pilot training several times, Ross was admitted into the [[U.S. Army Air Corps]] Tuskegee Aviation Cadet training program's inaugural single-engine 42-C-SE Class on July 19, 1941 at [[Tuskegee Army Air Field]].<ref> Caf Rise Above. "Mac Ross." https://cafriseabove.org/mac-ross/ </ref> The inaugural class included<ref> "Air Force Historical Support Division > Home" (PDF). Retrieved 7 February 2017 </ref><ref> "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN CHRONOLOGY." DANIEL L. HAULMAN. ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY BRANCH. AIR FORCE HISTORICAL RESEARCH AGENCY. MAXWELL AFB, AL 36112-6424. 14 November 2011. https://www.tuskegee.edu/Content/Uploads/Tuskegee/files/TUSKEGEE_AIRMEN_CHRONOLOGY12.2011.pdf </ref>
EXPLORING OUR PAST. West Virginia State University’s Aviation Program and Its Contribution to the Tuskegee Airmen." Charles T. Ledbetter, Ph.D., WVSU Professor of Education, Retired (Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired). https://wvstateu.edu/about/history-and-traditions/chapters-from-our-history.aspx# </ref> School officials actively competed with Tuskegee and four other historically black colleges and universities to institute a commercial pilot’s program for African American civil pilot graduates. In the end, the federal government selected [[Tuskegee Institute]] as the official commercial pilot program for African Americans civil pilot graduates.<ref> West Virginia State University. "CHAPTERS FROM OUR HISTORY
EXPLORING OUR PAST. West Virginia State University’s Aviation Program and Its Contribution to the Tuskegee Airmen." Charles T. Ledbetter, Ph.D., WVSU Professor of Education, Retired (Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired). https://wvstateu.edu/about/history-and-traditions/chapters-from-our-history.aspx# </ref> [[West Virginia State College]] and the other four historically black colleges and universities would serve as feeder schools.<ref> West Virginia State University. "CHAPTERS FROM OUR HISTORY
EXPLORING OUR PAST. West Virginia State University’s Aviation Program and Its Contribution to the Tuskegee Airmen." Charles T. Ledbetter, Ph.D., WVSU Professor of Education, Retired (Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired). https://wvstateu.edu/about/history-and-traditions/chapters-from-our-history.aspx# </ref>
[[West Virginia State College]] officials nominated two alumni for the program: [[George S. Roberts]] and [[Mac Ross]].<ref> West Virginia State University. "CHAPTERS FROM OUR HISTORY
⚫
EXPLORING OUR PAST. West Virginia State University’s Aviation Program and Its Contribution to the Tuskegee Airmen." Charles T. Ledbetter, Ph.D., WVSU Professor of Education, Retired (Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired). https://wvstateu.edu/about/history-and-traditions/chapters-from-our-history.aspx# </ref> Though passed over for pilot training several times, Ross was admitted into the [[U.S. Army Air Corps]] Tuskegee Aviation Cadet training program's inaugural July 19, 41 single-engine 42-C-SE Class at [[Tuskegee Army Air Field]].<ref> Caf Rise Above. "Mac Ross." https://cafriseabove.org/mac-ross/ </ref> The inaugural class included<ref> "Air Force Historical Support Division > Home" (PDF). Retrieved 7 February 2017 </ref><ref> "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN CHRONOLOGY." DANIEL L. HAULMAN. ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY BRANCH. AIR FORCE HISTORICAL RESEARCH AGENCY. MAXWELL AFB, AL 36112-6424. 14 November 2011. https://www.tuskegee.edu/Content/Uploads/Tuskegee/files/TUSKEGEE_AIRMEN_CHRONOLOGY12.2011.pdf </ref>
* Student officer Captain [[Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.]], Commandant of Cadets, and future [[Tuskegee Airmen]] Commander and future U.S. four-star general;
* Student officer Captain [[Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.]], Commandant of Cadets, and future [[Tuskegee Airmen]] Commander and future U.S. four-star general;
* John C. Anderson, Jr.;
* John C. Anderson, Jr.;

Revision as of 22:01, 16 July 2021

Captain
Mac Ross
Born
Mac Ross

1912 or 1916
Dallas County, Alabama, US
DiedError: Need valid birth date (second date): year, month, day
Ramitelli Airfields
Resting placeAmerican Cemetery-Sicily, Plot J, Row 15, Grave 70, near Rome, Italy.
Alma materHoward University, University of Connecticut's School of Law (did not finish)
Occupations
  • Military officer
  • fighter pilot
Years active1941–1944

Mac Ross (1912 or 1916 - July 10, 1944) was an U.S. Army Air Force officer, combat fighter pilot, 100th Fighter Squadron's Squadron Commander, 332nd Fighter Group's Group Operations Officer of the Tuskegee Airmen, "Red Tails," or “Schwartze Vogelmenschen” ("Black Birdmen") among enemy German pilots.[1] He was one of the 1007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.[2]

He was among the group of five African American officers to receive their silver wings as the inaugural class of the Tuskegee Army Flying School.[3]

Early Life, Family

Based on contrasting records, Ross was born in either 1912 or 1916 in Selma, Alabama, Dallas County.[4][5] He was the son of Eddie Samuel and Willie Ross. Ross had several siblings including Eddie Ross, Sammy Ross, Jerry Ross, Arthur Ross, Suritha Ross Brooks, Geniva Ross Chinn, and Willa Ross Morgan.[6]

Ross attended West Virginia State University, graduating in 1940.

As a young man, Ross lived in Dayton, Ohio.[7] Prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Ross worked as an inspector at an iron works in Ohio.[8]

In 1943, Ross married Abbie Voorhies (born August 20, 1915), a U.S. Army lieutenant and member of the Army Nurses Corps from Moreauville, Louisiana and Alexandria, Louisiana.[9] They met after Abbie transferred to Tuskegee's base hospital.[10] A few months after their marriage, Ross deployed overseas.[11]

Military Service, Tuskegee Airmen

Ross' alma mater, West Virginia State College (now West Virginia State University) graduated several civil aviation classes from its own civil pilots program.[12] School officials actively competed with Tuskegee and four other historically black colleges and universities to institute a commercial pilot’s program for African American civil pilot graduates. In the end, the federal government selected Tuskegee Institute as the official commercial pilot program for African Americans civil pilot graduates.[13] West Virginia State College and the other four historically black colleges and universities would serve as feeder schools.[14]

West Virginia State College officials nominated two alumni for the program: George S. Roberts and Mac Ross.[15] Though passed over for pilot training several times, Ross was admitted into the U.S. Army Air Corps Tuskegee Aviation Cadet training program's inaugural July 19, 41 single-engine 42-C-SE Class at Tuskegee Army Air Field.[16] The inaugural class included[17][18]

  • Student officer Captain Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., Commandant of Cadets, and future Tuskegee Airmen Commander and future U.S. four-star general;
  • John C. Anderson, Jr.;
  • Charles D. Brown
  • Theodore E. Brown
  • Marion A. Carter
  • Charles H. DeBow, Jr. (Feb 13, 1918 – April 4, 1968)[19]; and
  • Lemuel R. Custis
  • Frederick H. Moore
  • Ulysses S. Pannell
  • George S. Roberts ("Spanky" Roberts) (September 24, 1918 - March 8, 1984);
  • William H. Slade[20]
  • Roderick C. Williams.

During cadet training, Ross bailed out of his P-40 training aircraft, making him the first ever African American member of the Caterpillar Club, an informal association of people who have successfully used a parachute to bail out of a disabled aircraft.[21] Nonetheless, on March 6, 1942, only five cadets graduated from the program, receiving their silver wings: 2nd Lt. Ross, Captain Benjamin O. Davis Jr., 2nd Lt. Charles DeBow Jr., 2nd Lt. Lemuel R. Custis, and 2nd Lt. George S. Roberts ("Spanky" Roberts). Class 42-C-SE created America's first African-American U.S. Army Air Corps pilots.[22]

On May 26, 1942, Ross became the Squadron Commander of the 332nd Fighter Group's 100th fighter squadron, with Lt George Knox and SE-42-A classmate Charles DeBow serving as his adjutants.[23]

In July 1942, Ross became the 332nd Fighter Group's Group Operations Officer.[24] On March 27, 1943, his squadron transferred to Selfridge Field in Mt Clements, Michigan.[25] During World War II, Ross flew over 50 combat missions in the European Theater.[26]

Unit Assignments

  • 1941–1942, AAF MOS 770, Aviation Cadet Flight School, Tuskegee AAF[27]
  • 1942–1944, AAF MOS 1055, 99th Fighter Squadron, AL, French Morocco, Tunisia, Italy[28]
  • 1943–1943, AAF MOS 1055, 33rd Fighter Group, Qued N'ja, French Morocco; Fardjouna, Tunisia[29]
  • 1943–1943, AAF MOS 1055, 324th Fighter Group, Fardjouna Airfield[30]
  • 1943–1943, AAF MOS 1055, 33rd Fighter Group, Licata, Termini, & Barcellona Airfields, Sicily[31]
  • 1943–1944, AAF MOS 1055, 79th Fighter Group, Salsola, Madna, & Capodichino Airfields[32]
  • 1944–1944, AAF MOS 1055, 324th Fighter Group, Cercola & Pignataro Airfields[33]
  • 1944–1944, AAF MOS 1055, 332nd Fighter Group, Ciampino, Orbetello, & Ramitelli Airfields[34]

Major Campaigns

  • 1941–1944, World War II[35]
  • 1943–1943, Operation Strangle[36]
  • 1943–1943, Sicily Campaign (1943)[37]
  • 1943–1944, Naples-Foggia Campaign (1943-44)[38]
  • 1944–1944, Anzio Campaign (1944)[39]
  • 1944–1944, Rome-Arno Campaign (1944)[40]
  • 1944–1944, Normandy Campaign (1944)[41]

Awards

Death, Wife's Remarriage

Ross was killed while on a local transition flight during his squadron’s conversion from P-40 to P-51 aircraft.[45] Ross's newly-acquired P-51 Mustang suffered mechanical failure, nosediving into the ground.[46] Ross was interred at the American Cemetery-Sicily, Plot J, Row 15, Grave 70, near Rome, Italy.[47]

Back in American, Ross's wife, Abbie Voorhies Ross, received a home visit from men in uniforms who informed her that her husband had been killed.[48] After World War II, Abbie transferred to Columbus, Ohio's Lockbourne Air Force Base. After leaving the U.S. Army June 30, 1947 with the rank of Captain, Abbie eventually settled in Los Angeles in 1950, marrying Melvin DeVerges. They raised two sons: Ronald DeVerges and Donald DeVerges. As of 2019, Abbie Voorhies Ross DeVerges, a centenarian, lives in Northridge, California.[49][50]

Legacy

  • On June 27, 1989, the U.S. Postal Service dedicated its Dayton, Ohio's Mac Ross Memorial Philatelic Room in honor of Ross. A plaque displayed at the Dayton Post Office on East 5th Street.[51]
  • In 2000, the city of Selma, Alabama honored Ross Ross with a resolution honoring his service and sacrifice.[52]

The University of California Riverside maintains the papers of Ross's wife Abbie. The collection comprises photographs of Ross, Abbie and other Tuskegee Airmen and nurses, Abbie's military separation records, correspondence, news clippings, and items from a dedication of a philatelic room to Ross.[53]

See also

References

  1. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Mac Ross." https://cafriseabove.org/mac-ross/
  2. ^ "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster". CAF Rise Above. CAF Rise Above. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  3. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Mac Ross." https://cafriseabove.org/mac-ross/
  4. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Mac Ross." https://cafriseabove.org/mac-ross/
  5. ^ U.S. Air Force - Together We Served. "Roll of Honor-U.S. Air Force - Deceased -Ross, Mac, Capt-USAAF Veteran."https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=171792
  6. ^ Legacy. "Eddie Ross." https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/dayton/name/eddie-ross-obituary?pid=186121472
  7. ^ U.S. Air Force - Together We Served. "Roll of Honor-U.S. Air Force - Deceased -Ross, Mac, Capt-USAAF Veteran."https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=171792
  8. ^ Tuskegee Museum. "Civilian Pilot Training Program." https://www.tuskegeemuseum.org/civilian-pilot-training/
  9. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Celebrating Tuskegee Nurse Abbie Voorhies Ross DeVerges!" https://cafriseabove.org/celebrating-tuskegee-nurse-abbie-voorhies-ross-deverges/
  10. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Celebrating Tuskegee Nurse Abbie Voorhies Ross DeVerges!" https://cafriseabove.org/celebrating-tuskegee-nurse-abbie-voorhies-ross-deverges/
  11. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Celebrating Tuskegee Nurse Abbie Voorhies Ross DeVerges!" https://cafriseabove.org/celebrating-tuskegee-nurse-abbie-voorhies-ross-deverges/
  12. ^ West Virginia State University. "CHAPTERS FROM OUR HISTORY EXPLORING OUR PAST. West Virginia State University’s Aviation Program and Its Contribution to the Tuskegee Airmen." Charles T. Ledbetter, Ph.D., WVSU Professor of Education, Retired (Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired). https://wvstateu.edu/about/history-and-traditions/chapters-from-our-history.aspx#
  13. ^ West Virginia State University. "CHAPTERS FROM OUR HISTORY EXPLORING OUR PAST. West Virginia State University’s Aviation Program and Its Contribution to the Tuskegee Airmen." Charles T. Ledbetter, Ph.D., WVSU Professor of Education, Retired (Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired). https://wvstateu.edu/about/history-and-traditions/chapters-from-our-history.aspx#
  14. ^ West Virginia State University. "CHAPTERS FROM OUR HISTORY EXPLORING OUR PAST. West Virginia State University’s Aviation Program and Its Contribution to the Tuskegee Airmen." Charles T. Ledbetter, Ph.D., WVSU Professor of Education, Retired (Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired). https://wvstateu.edu/about/history-and-traditions/chapters-from-our-history.aspx#
  15. ^ West Virginia State University. "CHAPTERS FROM OUR HISTORY EXPLORING OUR PAST. West Virginia State University’s Aviation Program and Its Contribution to the Tuskegee Airmen." Charles T. Ledbetter, Ph.D., WVSU Professor of Education, Retired (Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired). https://wvstateu.edu/about/history-and-traditions/chapters-from-our-history.aspx#
  16. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Mac Ross." https://cafriseabove.org/mac-ross/
  17. ^ "Air Force Historical Support Division > Home" (PDF). Retrieved 7 February 2017
  18. ^ "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN CHRONOLOGY." DANIEL L. HAULMAN. ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY BRANCH. AIR FORCE HISTORICAL RESEARCH AGENCY. MAXWELL AFB, AL 36112-6424. 14 November 2011. https://www.tuskegee.edu/Content/Uploads/Tuskegee/files/TUSKEGEE_AIRMEN_CHRONOLOGY12.2011.pdf
  19. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Charles Henry DeBow Jr."
  20. ^ Provided an oral history of his experience with the Tuskegee Airmen: The William H. (Bill) Slade Story... 1st class (42-c) flight trainee Tuskegee Institute, 1941. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=911nbfmjH74
  21. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Mac Ross." https://cafriseabove.org/mac-ross/
  22. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Mac Ross." https://cafriseabove.org/mac-ross/
  23. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Mac Ross." https://cafriseabove.org/mac-ross/
  24. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Mac Ross." https://cafriseabove.org/mac-ross/
  25. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Mac Ross." https://cafriseabove.org/mac-ross/
  26. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Mac Ross." https://cafriseabove.org/mac-ross/
  27. ^ U.S. Air Force - Together We Served. "Roll of Honor-U.S. Air Force - Deceased -Ross, Mac, Capt-USAAF Veteran."https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=171792
  28. ^ U.S. Air Force - Together We Served. "Roll of Honor-U.S. Air Force - Deceased -Ross, Mac, Capt-USAAF Veteran."https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=171792
  29. ^ U.S. Air Force - Together We Served. "Roll of Honor-U.S. Air Force - Deceased -Ross, Mac, Capt-USAAF Veteran."https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=171792
  30. ^ U.S. Air Force - Together We Served. "Roll of Honor-U.S. Air Force - Deceased -Ross, Mac, Capt-USAAF Veteran."https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=171792
  31. ^ U.S. Air Force - Together We Served. "Roll of Honor-U.S. Air Force - Deceased -Ross, Mac, Capt-USAAF Veteran."https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=171792
  32. ^ U.S. Air Force - Together We Served. "Roll of Honor-U.S. Air Force - Deceased -Ross, Mac, Capt-USAAF Veteran."https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=171792
  33. ^ U.S. Air Force - Together We Served. "Roll of Honor-U.S. Air Force - Deceased -Ross, Mac, Capt-USAAF Veteran."https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=171792
  34. ^ U.S. Air Force - Together We Served. "Roll of Honor-U.S. Air Force - Deceased -Ross, Mac, Capt-USAAF Veteran."https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=171792
  35. ^ U.S. Air Force - Together We Served. "Roll of Honor-U.S. Air Force - Deceased -Ross, Mac, Capt-USAAF Veteran."https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=171792
  36. ^ U.S. Air Force - Together We Served. "Roll of Honor-U.S. Air Force - Deceased -Ross, Mac, Capt-USAAF Veteran."https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=171792
  37. ^ U.S. Air Force - Together We Served. "Roll of Honor-U.S. Air Force - Deceased -Ross, Mac, Capt-USAAF Veteran."https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=171792
  38. ^ U.S. Air Force - Together We Served. "Roll of Honor-U.S. Air Force - Deceased -Ross, Mac, Capt-USAAF Veteran."https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=171792
  39. ^ U.S. Air Force - Together We Served. "Roll of Honor-U.S. Air Force - Deceased -Ross, Mac, Capt-USAAF Veteran."https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=171792
  40. ^ U.S. Air Force - Together We Served. "Roll of Honor-U.S. Air Force - Deceased -Ross, Mac, Capt-USAAF Veteran."https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=171792
  41. ^ U.S. Air Force - Together We Served. "Roll of Honor-U.S. Air Force - Deceased -Ross, Mac, Capt-USAAF Veteran."https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=171792
  42. ^ U.S. Air Force - Together We Served. "Roll of Honor-U.S. Air Force - Deceased -Ross, Mac, Capt-USAAF Veteran."https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=171792
  43. ^ U.S. Air Force - Together We Served. "Roll of Honor-U.S. Air Force - Deceased -Ross, Mac, Capt-USAAF Veteran."https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=171792
  44. ^ U.S. Air Force - Together We Served. "Roll of Honor-U.S. Air Force - Deceased -Ross, Mac, Capt-USAAF Veteran."https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=171792
  45. ^ Tuskegee Army Nurses. "Abbie Voorhies." http://www.tuskegeearmynurses.info/2019/06/25/abbie-voorhies/
  46. ^ Honor States. "Mac Ross." https://www.honorstates.org/index.php?id=323463
  47. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Mac Ross." https://cafriseabove.org/mac-ross/
  48. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Celebrating Tuskegee Nurse Abbie Voorhies Ross DeVerges!" https://cafriseabove.org/celebrating-tuskegee-nurse-abbie-voorhies-ross-deverges/
  49. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Celebrating Tuskegee Nurse Abbie Voorhies Ross DeVerges!" https://cafriseabove.org/celebrating-tuskegee-nurse-abbie-voorhies-ross-deverges/
  50. ^ Avoyelles Today. "104-YEAR-OLD MOREAUVILLE NATIVE ABBIE DEVERGES IS OLDEST MEMBER OF FAMED WWII TUSKEGEE AIRMEN. MILLIE TANNER-LATHAM. August 24, 2019. https://www.avoyellestoday.com/news/104-year-old-moreauville-native-abbie-deverges-oldest-member-famed-wwii-tuskegee-airmen
  51. ^ Dayton Daily News. "Area’s black WWII pilots part of Tuskegee Airmen legacy." Kelli Wynn. April 28, 2012. https://www.daytondailynews.com/lifestyles/area-black-wwii-pilots-part-tuskegee-airmen-legacy/1PXzAGdwWw1V2yRI0getoN/
  52. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Mac Ross." https://cafriseabove.org/mac-ross/
  53. ^ Online Archive of California. "Abbie Voorhies DeVerges papers." https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c86h4ph2/entire_text/
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