| Samuel Gross | |
|---|---|
| Capture of Fort Riviere by Donna J. Neary, Gross is the right-most Marine |
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| Born | May 9, 1891 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | September 13, 1934 (aged 43) |
| Place of burial | Har Nebo Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1913 - 1918 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit | 23rd Company |
| Battles/wars | United States Occupation of Haiti in 1915 |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Samuel Gross (originally Samuel Marguiles) (May 9, 1891–September 13, 1934) was a Private in the United States Marine Corps, 23d Company who earned the Medal of Honor for his efforts during the United States occupation of Haiti in 1915.
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Gross was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is generally believed to be the only Jewish Marine to receive the Medal of Honor. During the United States occupation of Haiti, he participated in battles against the Caco bandit insurgency. During the battle for Fort Riviere, he saved the life of Smedley Butler who also was a Medal of Honor recipient and was one of only 19 people to receive 2 Medals of Honor.
He died September 9, 1934 and is buried in Har Nebo Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[1] His grave can be found in section I, lot 50.[1]
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps, 23d Co. (Real name is Marguiles, Samuel.) Born: May 9, 1891, Philadelphia, Pa. Accredited to: Pennsylvania.
Citation:
In company with members of the 5th, 13th, 23d Companies and the marine and sailor detachment from the USS Connecticut, Gross participated in the attack on Fort Riviere, Haiti, November 17, 1915. Following a concentrated drive, several different detachments of marines gradually closed in on the old French bastion fort in an effort to cut off all avenues of retreat for the Caco bandits. Approaching a breach in the wall which was the only entrance to the fort, Gross was the second man to pass through the breach in the face of constant fire from the Cacos and, thereafter, for a 10-minute period, engaged the enemy in desperate hand-to-hand combat until the bastion was captured and Caco resistance neutralized.[2]