 |
| Lt. Edward Ruess earned the Navy Cross while serving with the 6th Marine Division in Okinawa. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/133262074/edward-ruess https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/pacific/okinawa/6th-marine-division-blasts-japanese-position-on-okinawa/ |
Edward Ruess never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom. Normally I profile one man each day, but today I profiled two. Be sure to read the story about Bernard Green also, another of the Okinawa fallen.
Edward was born on March 10, 1919 in New Jersey. His parents Charles and Grace were born in New York and New Jersey, respectively. His paternal grandparents were from Germany and his maternal grandparents were from England. His father worked as a grocery clerk and then owned a grocery store. Still later he worked as a superintendent. Edward had an older brother, older sister, and two younger brothers. All four Ruess brothers served in World War 2. By 1940 Edward had completed high school (where he was the star football end).
He married Florence Peters on December 31, 1941.
He enlisted in the Marines on January 19, 1943. He became a first lieutenant in Company G, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Marine Regiment, 6th Marine Division. He probably fought in the Battle of Guam in August 1944. He was part of the 6th ID's participation in the Battle of Okinawa.
On May 13, 1945, Lt. Ruess was leading his platoon in an assault against a heavily defended enemy ridge near Sugar Loaf Hill. Fire from a hidden Japanese position was inflicting deadly fire on his men. In order to determine where the Japanese were firing from, he purposely exposed himself. He was mortally wounded, but the Americans were now able to suppress the enemy fire enough to withdraw to a safer position. Lt. Ruess died that day. Brother Leonard was also fighting on Okinawa when Edward was killed. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
His Navy Cross citation reads as follows:
Leading his platoon in the assault on a heavily defended enemy ridge near Sugar Loaf Hill, First Lieutenant Ruess suddenly encountered intense hostile fire from concealed Japanese emplacements which seriously wounded him and resulted in numerous casualties among his men. Unable to determine the sources of enemy fire, he deliberately exposed himself to the Japanese in order that covering fire could be effectively directed. Mortally wounded during this action, First Lieutenant Ruess, by his valiant conduct and unflinching devotion to duty, had enabled adjacent units to cover the withdrawal of his men and the evacuation of casualties.
His courage, fortitude and self-sacrificing spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific Forces: Serial 36377 (November 6, 1945)
Thank you Lt. Ruess for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Edward.
Last year on this date I profiled Lewis Smith, Air Transport Command. You can read about Lewis here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
His grave is at Brookside Cemetery in Englewood, New Jersey. I don't know what happened to his widow.
Last year on this date I profiled Lewis Smith, Air Transport Command. You can read about Lewis here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
No comments:
Post a Comment