Arthur Dwight Ross

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Arthur Dwight Ross
Born in 1907
Air Commodore Arthur Dwight Ross
Place of birth	Winnipeg, Manitoba
Allegiance	Canada, UK
Service/branch	Royal Canadian Air Force
Rank	Air Commodore
Awards	GC, CD, CBE

Air Commodore Arthur Dwight Ross GC, CD, CBE (18 March 1907 - 27 September 1981) was a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Base Commander of No. 62 Base, No. 6 Group RCAF in Yorkshire, England during the Second World War. A/C Ross received the George Cross for his actions on 27 June 1944 at RAF Tholthorpe.

During the night of 27/28 June 1944, an RCAF Halifax aircraft of 425 Squadron was returning from a bombing raid on a rocket launching site in northern France. The aircraft struggled back on three engines. Upon landing, the pilot lost control and veered into a parked Halifax which was fully loaded with fuel and bombs. A/C Ross ran to the burning aircraft, took command, and extricated the pilot with the aid of an aircrew member just as ten 500-pound bombs began exploding. After having been thrown to the ground by an explosion, Ross and other rescuers attempted to release the tail gunner, Sergeant C. G. Rochon, who was trapped in his turret. The perspex cover wouldn't break so the rescuers broke the turret's steel supports. Another bomb exploded and flying debris almost severed A/C Ross's right hand. Ross walked to an ambulance and was taken to the base hospital where his hand was amputated in an emergency operation. The tail gunner was rescued and the entire crew was saved. For courage and leadership, Ross was awarded the George Cross, the highest gallantry award for civilians as well as for military personnel in actions which are not in the face of the enemy.

A/C Ross' George Cross medal is displayed at the Royal Military College of Canada museum, Kingston, Ontario.

An air cadet squadron based in Kingston, Ontario bears his name (No. 58 Air Commodore A. Dwight Ross, GC, CD, CBE Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron).

[edit] References

Coughlin, Tom. The Dangerous Sky. Toronto: The Ryerson Press., 1968. No ISBN.
Roberts, Leslie. There Shall Be Wings. Toronto: Clark, Irwin and Co. Ltd., 1959. No ISBN.