Harold Lacey Ross, Jr was born on June 3, 1922 to parents Harold and Sara (Longest) Ross. He grew up on Elm Street in Greensboro, North Carolina not far from downtown Greensboro. His father was an engineer and worked as a consultant. Harold had one younger sister named Sarah. After high school, Harold attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York and in his freshman year, was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity.

As required by the Selective Training and Service Act, at the age of 21, Harold signed up for the draft in June of 1942. He had just finished his freshman year at Cornell University in New York.

Harold left Cornell University and joined the military. Soon, he was a part of the 335th Fighter Squadron, one of three fighter squadrons of the United States Army Air Force. It was comprised of American volunteers and members of the Royal Air Force of England flying together. The squadron was activated in September of 1942. Harold spent time training at flight schools in Fort Stockton (Gibbs Field) Texas, and at Goodfellows Field in Texas. He also spent time in group flight school in Moore Field at Mission, Texas. The 335th Fighter Squadron assigned to the 4th Fighter group and was based out of Debden in Essex, England

According to the Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) on the night of June 6, 1944 around 2030, 1st Lt Harold Ross, Jr., McGratten, Garbey and Flight Officer Smith “Caboose Section Blue” were flying in the northern part of France near Le Neubourg. They were strafing a train and a staff car on the ground when they came under cover of 15 ME 109’s and PW-190s, German fighter aircrafts.

1st Lt. Ralph K Hofer had left his group, “Cobweb Red Section” just before Caboose Section Blue came under attack. 1st Lt. Hofer called for Caboose Section Blue on the radio but did not get any response. He was the last person to see 1st Lt. Harold Ross alive. His statement on the events that took place that night is included in the Missing Air Crew Report (#5612).

1st Lt. Harold L Ross, Jr has been laid to rest in the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, Departement du Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Medal posthumously. His service ID number is O-694264.

References

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/2297

http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/87182

http://www.americanairmuseum.com/unit/884

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75650014/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75649672/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/335th_Fighter_Squadron

http://www.ww35.usafunithistory.com/PDF/0300/335%20FIGHTER%20SQ.pdf

USAAF Class Book Project ABMC American Cemeteries

https://www.ww2research.com/caboose-blue-section-2/

https://www.seymourjohnson.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/306524/335th-fighter-squadron/

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