Philip H. Ross

Philip Harold Ross
Born(1905-12-19)December 19, 1905
Kenai, Alaska
DiedJanuary 8, 1981(1981-01-08) (aged 75)
Annapolis, Maryland
Buried
Allegiance United States of America
Branch United States Navy
Years of service1927-1957[1]
Rank Rear admiral
Service number0-61247
CommandsUSS S-46 (SS-157)
USS S-11 (SS-116)
USS Halibut (SS-232)[2]
USS Golet[2]
Submarine Division 302
Submarine Division 102
USS Chemung (AO-30)[3]
USS Virgo (AKA-20)[4]
Battles / warsWorld War II
Awards Navy Cross (2)
Alma materUnited States Naval Academy
Spouse(s)Helen Louise Jones

Philip Harold Ross (19 December 1905 – 8 January 1981), was a decorated submarine commander during World War II who reached the rank of rear admiral in the United States Navy.[5][6]

Admiral Philip Ross graduated from the United States Naval Academy with the class of 1927. After receiving his commission, he became qualified on submarines, and in 1942 became qualified for command.[7] He became the commander of the USS Halibut upon its commissioning 10 April 1942. His first two war patrols were unsuccessful.[8] However, on his third war patrol he sank 30,280 tons of Japanese shipping and damaged an additional 8,000 tons, and was awarded the Navy Cross.[5] On his next war patrol, Ross sank 15,100 tons of Japanese shipping and damaged another 15,000 tons,[2] for which he was awarded his second Navy Cross.[5] These successful war patrols were reported in the media as an example of the success American submarines were having against the Japanese, and even gave him the nickname "Deadeye Phil."[9][10] Ross retired from the U.S. Navy in 1957 after 30 years of service as a rear admiral.[1]

  1. ^ a b Register of retired commissioned and warrant officers, regular and reserve, of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington D.C.: U.S. Navy. 1964. p. 321.
  2. ^ a b c Results of U.S. Submarine War Patrols. Washington D.C.: U.S. Navy. 1946. p. 47.
  3. ^ "Submarine Commanders". www.fleetorganization.com.
  4. ^ "29 Jun 1951, Page 8 - Tucson Daily Citizen at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c "Philip Harold Ross". Military Times. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  6. ^ "T/Capt. Philip Harold Ross of the US Navy (USN) - Allied Warship Commanders of WWII". uboat.net.
  7. ^ "U.S. Naval Submarine Base, New London, Groton, Connecticut". Naval History and Heritage Command. U.S. Navy. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  8. ^ Blair, Clay (1978). Combat Patrol. New York: Bantam Books. p. 116. ISBN 0553122797.
  9. ^ "Deadeye Phil". Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. The Daily Tribune. 1 Jul 1943. p. 7. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  10. ^ "Their Sub Sank 10 Jap Ships". St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The Caledonian-Record. 24 Jun 1943. p. 8. Retrieved 20 December 2021.