Ross Lindsey Iams

Ross Lindsey Iams (April 5, 1881 – March 25, 1952) was a United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor for actions in Haiti on November 17, 1915. Iams served for over 30 years in the Marine Corps, reaching the rank of major. Iams is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California.

Ross Lindsey Iams
Ross L. Iams in his Dress Blue Uniform
Born(1881-04-05)April 5, 1881
Graysville, Pennsylvania
Died29 March 1952(1952-03-29) (aged 70)
San Diego, California
Buried
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
San Diego, California
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service1901 – 1932, 1942
RankMajor
Unit2nd Marine Regiment
Battles/warsWorld War I
Banana Wars World War II
AwardsMedal of Honor

Medal of Honor citation

Iams was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions while a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. His citation reads:

In company with members of the Fifth, Thirteenth, Twenty-Third Companies and Marine and sailor detachment from the USS Connecticut, Sergeant Iams 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, Sergeant Iams unhesitatingly jumped through the breach despite constant fire from the Cacos and engaged the enemy in a desperate hand-to-hand combat until the bastion was captured and Caco resistance neutralized.

Ross L. Iams being awarded the Medal of Honor

Service time line
  • January 29, 1901 – enlisted in the Marine Corps
  • various brevets as Marine gunner, lieutenant and captain
  • June 4, 1920 – permanent appointment as captain, U.S. Marine Corps
  • November 1932 – retirement
  • January 19, 1942 – returned to active duty as major

See also

References
  • "Major Ross L. Iams, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on May 16, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
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