| Angus R. Goss | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 8, 1910 |
| Died | July 20, 1943 (aged 33) |
| Place of birth | Tampa, Florida |
| Place of death | New Georgia, Solomon Islands |
| Place of burial | Manila American Cemetery and Memorial |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1930-1943 |
| Rank | Marine Gunner |
| Unit | 1st Marine Raiders |
| Battles/wars |
World War II • Guadalcanal campaign • Battle of Tulagi • Battle of Bairoko |
| Awards |
Navy Cross Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (UK) |
Angus R. Goss was born 8 January 1910 at Tampa, Florida, The United States of America (USA). As a U.S. Marine, he was killed in action while fighting in the Pacific during World War II.
Marine Corps career[]
Although Goss was the first of his family to graduate from high school, the advent of the Great Depression left few available jobs. On September 12, 1930, at the age of 20, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He rose to the rank of Marine Gunner in the 1st Marine Raiders Battalion, and was sergeant of the battalion's demolitions platoon. When the United States entered World War II, Goss and his unit were deployed to the Pacific.[1]
Combat experience[]
In the Battle of Tulagi, the Raiders were successful in liberating the island of Tulagi, in the Solomon Islands, from Japanese occupation. Goss would play a key role in this victory, leading his platoon in rooting out the Japanese who had entrenched themselves in the island's limestone caves. Goss and his men attached TNT charges to ends of poles and fashioned similar techniques needed to rid the island of its remaining defenders.[2] In some cases, they were required to personally deliver the charges to their intended targets.[1]
On August 10, 1942, after lobbing two blocks of TNT into one particularly well defended cave, Goss was severely wounded when the enemy tossed the explosives back at him. Completely incensed and despite his injuries, Goss grabbed a Reising sub-machine gun, hobbled his way back to the cave, and single-handedly took out every one of the enemy occupants.[1]
The following year, on July 20, Goss would be killed in action in an unsuccessful attack on the island of New Georgia during the Battle of Bairoko.[1]
Awards[]
For his extraordinary heroism in combat on Tulagi on August 10, 1942, Marine Gunner Goss was awarded the Navy Cross, as well as the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, bestowed by the United Kingdom. Goss was initially nominated for the Medal of Honor, but the stateside board downgraded the nomination to the Navy Cross. Tragically, Goss was killed before learning of his awards.[1]
Namesake[]
The United States Navy would name a Destroyer Escort in Goss' memory. USS Goss (DE-444) was laid down December 16, 1943 by the Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Newark, New Jersey; launched March 19, 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Jamie S. Goss, sister-in-law of Marine Gunner Goss; and commissioned August 26, 1944, Lt. Comdr. Claude A. Kirkpatrick in command.
The City of Tampa, Florida, would also build a public aquatic facility in his memory, the Angus Goss Memorial Pool.[3]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Alexander, Joseph. "Edson's Raiders: the 1st Marine Raider Battalion in World War II" Naval Institute Press, 2000.
- ↑ Hoffman, Major Jon T., USMCR, "From Makin To Bougainville: Marine Raiders in the Pacific War", Marine Corps Historical Center, 1995.
- ↑ City of Tampa Parks
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
External links[]
The original article can be found at Angus R. Goss and the edit history here.