30OCT1944: His unit suffering 55 casualties during an attack on an entrenched German position near St Jacques, France, PVT Wilburn Ross dug in an prepared for a counter attack. Manning a machine gun, Ross placed himself a few yards ahead of American lines in order to take on the full force of the enemy attack. Despite small arms fire and grenades impacting all around his position, PVT Ross repelled seven consecutive enemy attacks over the course of the afternoon. As the eight assault was launched, most of PVT Ross's supporting riflemen were out of ammunition and an order came to fall back. With his unit already weakened, the exposed retreat could have cost many more their lives. In turn, Ross stayed at his position and held out for more machine gun ammunition. As the enemy was about to swarm over his position, new ammunition founds its way to Ross and he opened fire at close range, mowing down the attacking soldiers forcing the Germans to withdraw. Having killed at least 58 enemy attackers that day, PVT Ross almost single-handedly repelled the counter attack efforts. For his actions that day, PVT Ross would be awarded the Medal of Honor. He would go on to serve a total of 20 years in service to include seeing combat during the Korean War. He retired in 1964 at the rank of Master Sergeant.

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