By Luke Lorenz
Manager of Government Affairs
Navy League of the United States
This is part of an ongoing series, where we look at the lives and legacies of U.S. sea service men and women.
As the Navy League observes the beginning of Hanukkah this year, we remember the proud tradition of Jewish-American servicemembers across the sea services. In particular, we would like to highlight the service and sacrifice of Pvt. Barney Ross who would earn the Silver Star for his bravery while serving as a U.S. Marine during World War II.
Growing up on the mean streets of Chicago, Ross became an accomplished boxer and some of his fights were even attended by Al Capone. Ross would retire from the world of boxing in 1938, only to enter a new fight. In April of 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Marines and was sent to the Pacific.
He first battle would be on the beaches of Guadalcanal. Pushing the enemy back, Ross and three of his fellow Marines became pinned down by enemy fire. Gathering the weapons and grenades of his wounded comrades he spent the night fighting off dozens of Japanese soldiers, moving the wounded Marines back from the fighting when possible.
Ross would receive the Silver Star for his bravery and was even invited to a ceremony at the White House with President Franklin Roosevelt. But his fighting days were not over. Due to the wounds that he sustained he developed an addiction to morphine. After several years of struggle he overcame his addiction and went on to travel the country helping others to confront and overcome the horrors of drug addiction.