Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Donald
Kirby
Ross
December 8, 1910

–

May 27, 1992

Cemetery:

Buried At Sea

Donald Ross and his wife Helen Ross became well-recognized historians on the Medal of Honor, authoring several books to preserve the history of the recipients of the award. At Ross’ request, following his death in 1992, Ross was cremated and his ashes were scattered over the Pacific Ocean at the location where the U.S.S. Nevada had later been sunk when it was too badly damaged to continue active service.

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Warrant Machinist

    Division:

    U.S.S. Nevada (BB-36)

    Action Date:

    December 7, 1941

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Warrant Machinist Donald Kirby Ross, United States Navy, for distinguished conduct in the line of his profession, extraordinary courage and disregard of his own life during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. When his station in the forward dynamo room of the U.S.S. NEVADA (BB-36) became almost untenable due to smoke, steam, and heat, Warrant Machinist Ross forced his men to leave that station and performed all the duties himself until blinded and unconscious. Upon being rescued and resuscitated, he returned and secured the forward dynamo room and proceeded to the after dynamo room where he was later again rendered unconscious by exhaustion. Again recovering consciousness he returned to his station where he remained until directed to abandon it.