16 Facts About Mac Ross

Mac Ross was a US Army Air Force officer and combat fighter pilot during World War II.

Mac Ross was one of the first five African American combat fighter pilots in the United States military, and one of the 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen pilots.

Mac Ross was born on June 12,1912, in rural Dallas County near Selma, Alabama, he was the son of Eddie Samuel "Sam" Ross and Willie B Collins Ross.

Mac Ross graduated from Roosevelt High School and then attended West Virginia State University, graduating in 1940 with a degree in mechanical arts.

Mac Ross worked at the iron works GHR Foundry in Dayton.

Mac Ross was a night shift nurse at the Tuskgegee airfield where she met Mac, and as of 2019 at age 104 was the oldest living member of the Tuskegee unit.

Mac Ross was admitted into the US Army Air Corps Tuskegee Aviation Cadet training program's inaugural July 19,1941 class at Tuskegee Army Air Field.

An investigation found it was mechanical, but Mac Ross always felt he and the others were under intense scrutiny every time they flew.

On May 26,1942, Mac Ross was promoted to Squadron Commander of the 332nd Fighter Group's 100th Fighter Squadron, with Lt George Knox and SE-42-A classmate Charles DeBow serving as his adjutants.

In July 1942, before embarking for combat, Mac Ross was relieved as Squadron Commander and became the Group Operations Officer.

Mac Ross commanded the squadron in additional extensive and intensive training at Selfridge and Oscoda Army Air Field.

On July 10,1944, Mac Ross died in an aircraft accident.

Mac Ross is interred at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Plot J, Row 15, Grave 70, near Nettuno, Citta Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Lazio, Italy.

Mac Ross had a quiet confident manner, according to his widow Abbie Voorhies DeVerges, and a positive outlook on life.

Mac Ross was chosen for the philatelic memorial under the leadership of Postmaster Jack Kincade, who said, "Mac Ross epitomizes everything a young man or woman of today should strive for".

James Clanciolo, director of marketing and communication with the US Postal Service, noted Mac Ross's family values and stated that he is a role model for youth.