[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 13, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E415-E416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING CHARLES ROSS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ANDY BARR

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 13, 2025

  Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor an American hero and a true 
patriot, Mr Charles Ross of Nicholasville, Kentucky. Mr. Ross, a 96-
year-old veteran, was a prisoner of war during the Korean War for three 
years.
  Charles Ross enlisted in the United States Army on February 13, 1947. 
Born on December 6, 1928, in Columbia, South Carolina, he was just 18 
years old when he enlisted. He was inspired by soldiers who served in 
WWII, and he wanted some adventure in his life. After basic training at 
Fort McClellan in Alabama, he spent three years in post-WWII Germany 
with the 1st Infantry. When the Korean War broke out in 1950, Mr. Ross 
was deployed there with the 1st Provisional Battalion. He was then 
assigned to the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Cavalry Brigade. Soon after 
arriving in Korea was the Battle of Inchon, followed by the Battle of 
PyongYang, and the Battle of Unsan, which was long and treacherous. Mr. 
Ross' battalion of around 900 men was surrounded by 10 to 20,000 
Chinese soldiers. After fighting the Chinese off for three days and 
nights, they ran out of food, water, and provisions. Many lives were 
lost. On the fourth day, the Chinese Army started shelling chemical 
rounds of white phosphorous. All those who were able to run did so, 
crossing the Nammyon River. Mr. Ross and a fellow soldier broke off 
from the crowd and hid. An older Korean civilian helped them find 
shelter in a cave and brought them water and broth. Leaving the cave, 
they were soon found and surrendered to the Chinese Army. They were 
taken to Camp 5 in Pyoktong in January of 1951. Prisoners in the camp 
experienced untreated wounds, disease, frozen ground, starvation, and 
many died. They were forced to work on the burial detail, which was 
horrendous. In August of 1951, Mr. Ross and other non-commissioned 
officers were taken to Camp 4, where conditions were somewhat improved. 
He was released from the POW camp on August 20, 1953, reunited with the 
American Army, and promoted to Master Sergeant.
  Mr. Ross' POW experience left him with life-long Post-Traumatic 
Stress Disorder and painful neuropathy in his feet from the frigid 
Korean winters. He retired from the Army in 1970 as a Command Sergeant 
Major. Mr. Ross lives in Nicholasville, Kentucky with his daughter 
Barbara. He and his late wife Janet have three children and several 
grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was recently celebrated by 
Rolling Thunder Chapter 5 for National Prisoner of War Day.
  Charles Ross is a true patriot, a great American, and an inspiration 
to us all. I am forever grateful to him and his fellow soldiers who 
sacrificed so much in service to our Nation. It is my honor to 
recognize his service before the United States Congress.

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