ROSS REAVE L

CPT Reave "Vern" L Ross was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 10/25/2002 at the age of 58.1 from Cancer
Ballwin, MO
Flight Classes 68-24 and 68-42
Date of Birth 09/27/1944
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with A/2/20 ARA 1 CAV in 69-70
Call sign in Vietnam BLUE MAX 3
This information was provided by Gail Ross (wife)

More detail on this person: I am so sad to tell you that Vern passed away on October 25th. He passed peacefully while I held one hand and his younger son held the other. His oldest son and his wife of just three weeks were at the foot of his bed. We spoke to him and he could hear us. Vern was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery here in St. Louis with military honors. At the visitation, we displayed his medals, his dress blue uniform and a very handsome photograph of him in his uniform that was taken at about the time I met him in 1973. He spoke of Blue Max and often told me to always keep its insignia. He was very proud to be a part of it. Please let others know. If they have memories of him they would like to share, ask them to send them to this address. I want to hold them in a collection so that our sons randchildren will know him and remember him.

From: Gail Ross

Cpt Reave L. Ross was in A Battery 2/20th 1969 as Blue Max 23A (Operations Officer) then went to HHB 2/20th as 3A (Battalion Operations Officer).

Vern as he preferred to be called passed away October 25th with a long fight with cancer. He died of kidney cancer. I have not looked to see if he was on the VHPA roster of members yet. He was a PROUD member of the Blue Max ARA Association and very proud to have been in the Aerial Rocket Artillery when it was "Blue Max". He has a daughter here in Portland, Maine where he came to see her two years ago. He planned to see me while he was here but the time ran out before he got to see me and went back home.

I expect to get a photo or two of him soon. His widow "Gail" has been in contact with me and would sure like to here from anyone that knew Vern because his kids would like to have some information about his service time. She has a photo of him in Dress uniform taken around 1970 time frame that she is send me. He was just starting to talk to his family about Vietnam and they all want to know a little more. I am not sure what medals he was given but I hope we can get a list. Gen Jerry M. (Max) Bunyard was his commanding officer while in 2/20th.

From: bluemax@bluemax-ara-assoc.org

Burial information: Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, M

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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