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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --
Captain Donald Kirby Ross, USN, (1910-1992)
Donald Kirby Ross was born in Beverly, Kansas, on 8 December
1910. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1929 and was trained as
a Machinist's Mate. He advanced in that field and became a Warrant
Officer Machinist in October 1940. During the 7 December 1941
Japanese
air raid on Pearl Harbor, he was serving on board USS Nevada (BB-36).
When the ship was badly damaged by bombs and torpedoes, he kept
the dynamo rooms operating until he was overpowered by smoke,
steam, heat and exhaustion. For his courageous conduct, Machinist
Ross was awarded the Medal
of Honor.
Ross was promoted to Chief Machinist in March 1942 and was
simultaneously receiving a temporary commission as an Ensign. He rose
steadily in temporary rank to Lieutenant Commander by the end
of the War, reverting to Lieutenant at its conclusion. He again
received promotion to Lieutenant Commander in 1949 and to Commander
in November 1954. Upon his retirement from active duty in July
1956, after twenty-seven years' of service, he was promoted to
Captain on the basis of his combat awards.
Making his home in Washington State after leaving the Navy,
Captain Ross was active in farm life and community affairs, and
in perpetuating the memory of the Pearl Harbor attack, which he
described as "not a story about a defeat. It's a story about
a job well done". He attended 50th Anniversary ceremonies
at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1991, during which a memorial was dedicated to his old ship, USS Nevada. Captain Donald K. Ross died at Bremerton, Washington, on 27 May 1992.
The guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG-71), 1997-____,
is named in honor of Captain Ross.
This page features our only views of Captain Donald Kirby Ross,
USN.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 97461
Lieutenant Donald Kirby Ross, USN
Portrait photograph, taken circa 1944.
He is wearing the ribbon for the Medal of Honor, which he received
for heroism while serving on board USS Nevada (BB-36)
during the 7 December 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the
Naval Historical Center.
Online Image: 86KB; 595 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 97460-KN (Color)
Captain Donald Kirby Ross, USN (Retired)
Speaking at Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1991, during ceremonies
marking the 50th Anniversary of the Japanese air raid there.
Captain Ross is wearing the Medal of Honor he received for heroism
while serving on board USS Nevada (BB-36) during the attack.
Photographed by PHC Chet King
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the
Naval Historical Center.
Online Image: 60KB; 740 x 530 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 97467-KN (Color)
Captain Donald Kirby Ross, USN (Retired)
Leads the audience in singing "God Bless America",
during the dedication of the USS Nevada Memorial at Hospital
Point, Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1991. The ceremony was part of
an observance commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Japanese
raid there.
Captain Ross is wearing the Medal of Honor he received for heroism
while serving on board USS Nevada (BB-36) during the attack.
Photographed by PHC Carolyn Harris
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the
Naval Historical Center.
Online Image: 102KB; 740 x 510 pixels |
 |
Medal of Honor citation of Lieutenant Commander Donald Kirby
Ross (as printed in the official publication "Medal
of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 252):
"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 became almost untenable
due to smoke, steam and heat, Lieutenant Commander 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."
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Page made 10 December 2000