Ross L Iams

On episode one hundred and thirty-four, the story of Ross L Iams is told. This episode is brought to you by The Bearded Detailer; your dirt is his business. Be sure to visit our website for more information as the show goes on at: www.talesofhonorpodcast.com.

Ross was born on the 5th of April, 1881 in Graysville, Pennsylvania. Not much is known about Ross's time before joining the Marine Corps in 1901 but we do know that it was his actions in Haiti that would earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

In company with members of the Fifth, Thirteenth, Twenty-Third Companies and Marine and sailor detachment from the USS Connecticut, Sergeant Iams participated in the attack on Fort Riviere, Haiti, November 17, 1915. Following a concentrated drive, several different detachments of Marines gradually closed in on the old French bastion fort in an effort to cut off all avenues of retreat for the Caco bandits. Approaching a breach in the wall which was the only entrance to the fort, Sergeant Iams unhesitatingly jumped through the breach despite constant fire from the Cacos and engaged the enemy in a desperate hand-to-hand combat until the bastion was captured and Caco resistance neutralized.

Ross went on to serve in the Marine Corps until 1932, when he retired, but returned to active duty in 1942. He retired at the rank of Major and Ross Lindsey Iams died on the 29th of March, 1952 at the age of 70 and is buried in the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California; Section P, Grave 2930.