Captain Donald K. Ross, 1929-1956

Served aboard various ships in the 1930’s as an enlisted machinist, and was a Warrant aboard the battleship Nevada at Pearl Harbor.  During the attack, his station in the forward dynamo room became almost untenable due to smoke, steam and heat.  Ross’ citation reads "he 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. Upon recovering consciousness, he returned to his station, where he remained until directed to abandon it." He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Pearl Harbor. 

Ross was promoted to Chief Machinist in March 1942 and was commissioned an Ensign in June 1942. Subsequent assignments included Engineering Officer aboard Nevada, oiler Platt, carrier Kearsarge, and the Board of Inspection and Survey.  He rose steadily in temporary rank to Lieutenant Commander by the end of the war, reverting to Lieutenant at its conclusion. Upon his retirement from active duty in July 1956, after twenty-seven years' of service aboard every type of surface ship then afloat, he was promoted to Captain on the basis of his combat awards.

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