An American-born pilot becomes the highest-scoring ace in his Royal Air Force (RAF) squadron during World War I. Oren John Rose was born in Missouri on March 23, 1892. He joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1917 and joined the 92nd Squadron of the Royal Air Force in early 1918. He flew an SE5a aircraft with the unit. He achieved his first victory on July 30, 1918, and another victory the next day. After two more wins on August 14, Oren John Ross became the King of Aces on August 25. In addition, he scored 4 victories in September and 6 in October, the last of which came on November 4, bringing his WWI score to 16 points, making him the squadron’s highest-scoring ace.
Oren John Ross’ Ace Journey
Among his 16 victories, nine were Fokker D.VII aircraft, two each of the Halberstadt C and DFW C aircraft, two seats, and one each of the Palatinate D.III and Hannover CL aircraft. He destroyed 14 enemy aircraft, including one flown by James Victor Gascoyne, and two others he forced to crash. Oren John Ross was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Bar for his services in the First World War. His DFC Commendation explain“, “A very heroic officer shot down nine enemy planes. On September 29, he observed an enemy reconnaissance aircraft attacking some of our aircraft; after engaging it, he descended it from 15,000 feet to 6,000 feet and the aircraft caught fire. On the return trip, he attacked and destroyed an enemy two-seat aircraft. ”
heritage
Although the bar additional“A brilliant and fearless leader who has shot down seven enemy aircraft since 9 October. His personal example of skill and determination in air combat and in attacking ground troops and transports is of the greatest value in maintaining the high efficiency standards of his squadron.” After the war, Oren John Ross fought in Russia and then returned to the United States to start a business. He became an automobile dealer in Marysville, Ohio. During World War II, Ross joined the U.S. Army Air Forces and served as a combat and training officer in Kentucky. Later he led a squadron Worked in Louisiana from 1943 to 1944. When Oren John Ross retired from service in 1946, he was commander of the aircraft distribution base at Wright Field. He returned to the automotive industry and retired in the 1960s. Died on June 21, 1971 in Santa Clara, California, USA. In the Ace Series, Oren John Ross was a brave soldier and talented pilot, as evidenced by his 16 victories in less than 4 months on the front lines. Read more Ace stories here.
