DOB/DOD: July 24, 1918 (Rangeley, ME) – March 23, 1971 (Norwalk, CT); 52 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married to Mildred E. Herman (1920-1994) on February 17, 1939, in Norwalk. Divorced and remarried to Jean Curley (?-) in 1953, in Red Bank, New Jersey.
CHILDREN: Two sons, Bruce G. (1942-) and Michael E. (1959-). Two daughters, Rebecca O. Ross Ferris (1948-2012) and Mechele (1956-).
LOCAL ADDRESS: 2 Branford Place, East Norwalk
ENLISTMENT: August 5, 1943
DISCHARGE: November 9, 1945
SERVICE NUMBER: 31338311
UNIT: 418th Bomb Squadron, 100th Bomb Group
FAMILY: Born to Ara J. (1884-1956) and Lunette Staples Ross (1887-1976). Five brothers, Carroll A. (1908-1991), Wendell V. (1915-1975), Ara J. Jr. (1919-2013), Ralph S. (1921-1996), and Denman F. (1929-1946). One sister, Lurlene A. Ross McLafferty (1907-2001).
CIRCUMSTANCES: Captured on December 31, 1944, near Bramel, County Wesermuende. Held in German POW camp Stalag 13D Nuremburg (Oflag 73) Bavaria 49-11.
Missing Air Crew Report # 11365
Date: December 31, 1944
Time: 1225
Intended destination: Oil refinery in Hamburg, Germany
Aircraft type: B-17G
Serial number: 42-31895
Plane nickname: Miss-Chief
Cause: Mechanical failure at 20,000. The plane went into a dive. All crew bailed out. The plane exploded in mid-air on the way down.
Crew of 42-31895
2nd Lt Paul L Carroll, Pilot; Laurens, IA (1922-2010)
2nd Lt Harry B. Winger, Co-Pilot; West Middlesex, PA (1924-2012)
2nd Lt George R. Klare, Navigator; North Bend, NE (1922-2006)
MSgt Clifford M. Averett Jr., Bombardier; Columbus, GA (1923-2004)
Sgt Irvin J. Olson, Engineer; Postville, IA (1918-2000)
Sgt Lee Roy William Westman, Radio Operator; Spring Valley, MN (1922-2006)
Sgt Lawrence E. Isola, Ball Turret Gunner; Oakland, CA (1925-1972)
Sgt Otis J. Ross, Waist Gunner; Norwalk, CT
Sgt Fred K. Bracken, Tail Gunner; Palisade, CO (1921-2001)
All crew members bailed out successfully and survived the war.
From The Norwalk Hour January 25, 1945
Sergeant Otis J. Ross of 2 Branford Place is reported by the War Department in a telegram to his wife as missing in action over Germany since December 31; Mrs. Ross is the former Miss Mildred Herman. They have a two-year-old child, Bruce Garwood Ross. Sergeant Ross was a turret gunner in a B-17 and was stationed with the 8th Air Force in England. He went overseas in November 1944. He entered the service in August 1943. In civilian life, he was employed by Hicks and Otis Company, textile printers on Knight Street. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ara J. Ross, Noroton Heights. Sergeant Ross attended Darien schools and is a graduate of Darien High School.
From The Norwalk Hour May 18, 1945
Staff Sergeant Otis J. Ross, who has been a prisoner of war since December 31, when the B-17 bomber on which he was a gunner was forced down behind the German lines, has been liberated, and his wife, Mrs. Mildred Ross of 2 Branford Place, says that he expects to be home soon. Before entering the Army in August 1943, Sergeant Ross was employed at the Hicks and Otis Company.
Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, 1901 ME-16, Rangeley, Maine; unknown plot number. Photo from findagrave.com.
END
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