Tuesday, September 21, 2004
The police chief served in Gen. George Patton's 3rd Army.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- When World War II ended in 1945, Police Chief Anthony "Buster" Ross didn't know he would be entitled to the Bronze Star.
But the 79-year-old Ross was awarded the medal Monday afternoon by U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, in the chief's office.
Because Ross had been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, or CIB, for 30 days of combat in the European Theater between 1941 and 1945, he became eligible for the Bronze Star in 1947.
Ross said he was unaware that he was entitled to the medal. After he found out about it, he had difficulty filing the paperwork because of government bureaucracy.
It took Ryan and his staff to get the decoration for Ross, a 50-year member of the city police department.
Ross was a member of Gen. George Patton's 3rd Army, 6th Armored Division, 50th Infantry Battalion.
After crossing the a river from Luxembourg into Germany, Ross spent 12 hours in a foxhole manning a .30-caliber machine gun. After being relieved and returning back to camp, a medic noticed his feet were dark blue and swollen.
He was airlifted to the 92nd General Hospital in Paris, France, and treated for severe frostbite and trench foot.
After two months, Ross returned to his unit in France, but the war in Europe had ended by then.
Proud of his service
"We just watched movies" about World War II. "You were there," Ryan told Ross.
"I'm very proud," Ross commented in receiving the honor. "We have to remember the guys we left over there. They gave their all."
Ross mentioned that he prays for those who died during World War II and has returned twice to Europe to remember them. Ross said he hopes those serving in harm's way in Iraq also return safely.
Also taking part in the ceremony were Mayor James J. Melfi and Tim O'Malley, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 419 in Girard.
Melfi called attention to the chief's dedication to the city as a police officer, while O'Malley drew attention to the difficulties a soldier must go through to receive the CIB.
yovich@vindy.com