Worth G. Ross

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Worth G. Ross
Born April 19, 1854

Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Coast Guard Revenue Cutter Service(then)
Years of service	1877 - 1911
Rank	Captain
Commands held	Captain Commandant of the Revenue Cutter Service
Battles/wars	Battle of Santiago de Cuba, Spanish American War
Awards	Bronze Star Medal

Worth Ross was the first graduate of the School of Instruction of the Revenue Cutter Service, now know as the US Coast Guard Academy. He was a native of Cleveland, Ohio. He became the first academy graduate to be the Captain-Commandant of the Revenue Cutter Service on April 25, 1905. He was also the plankowning captain of the Mohawk, a 205-foot steel-hulled "First Class Cruising Cutter," was placed in commission at Arundel Cove, Maryland, on 10 May 1904.

Before receiving command of the Mohawk, he served as the Executive Officer aboard the RC Woodbury. He also served on the USS Harvard. During his time on board, we participated in the Spanish American War and the battle of Santiago de Cuba on July 3, 1898. He received a Bronze Medal from Congress for his actions that day.

However, it should be noted his distinguished career came from humble beginnings. According to many accounts, he missed his first class because he was busy being the first cadet to get seasick. After the first year, he also finished first in his class in terms of demerits.

Despite his academy experience, he later used his position as Commandant to procure funding for a permanent home for the Revenue Cutter School. After the cutter Chase was decommissioned, Ross moved the school to Curtis Bay, MD and after they proved to be too small, to Fort Trumbull, CT, an abandoned army fort. This is located a mile away from the Academy's current home in New London, CT.

Ross retired from active service on 30 April 1911 and later died at his home in New Bedford, MA on 24 March 1916.

Source: CGA Swab Indoc, http://www.uscg.mil/history/WEBCUTTERS/Mohawk_1904.html, http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/people/WGRossBio.html