Here's a couple of interesting facts about Ross, showing everyone why he should be considered a hero:
He was willing to die in battle for his country
Ross willingly entered the U.S. Marines, at around age 32. He was well beyond the draft age, but felt he had purpose to fight for his country.
Originally, he was asked to serve as a boxing instructor, but he requested to be sent into battle. He was sent to Guadalcanal Island, which was of the most dangerous places to be in combat.
He risked his life to save his fellow soldiers
He and three of his fellow soldiers were attacked by Japanese troops, one night. When those three soldiers were wounded by the troops, Ross brought them into a crater hole to make sure they would remain safe. On his own, he protected them by firing over 200 rifle rounds (some sources say 400) at the enemies. When the bullets ran out, he threw 22 grenades at enemy machine gun positions.
He lasted throughout the night, but two of his three fellow soldiers that he attempted to save had died. While out of ammunition and wounded in the leg and foot, he carried the remaining soldier to safety. Keep in mind that Ross weighed around 140 pounds, while the remaining soldier weighed around 230 pounds.
For his act of heroism, Ross received the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and a Presidential Citation.
He was against drugs
After sustaining injuries in the war, he became addicted to morphine. However, he eventually beat the addiction and became an anti-drug spokesperson. He would travel to schools all across the U.S. talking about the dangers of using drugs.
He battled back through life's adversity to achieve success
When he was 13, Ross' father had died after being shot by robbers in his store. His mother eventually had a nervous breakdown and most of his siblings were sent away. Ross, almost complete on his own, became a street thug. One of his street pals was Jack Ruby. He even went on to work for Al Capone, for a period of time.
Just when his life seemed like it was at a deep low, he bounced back. He decided to become a boxer, in order to make money to reunite his family. His mother returned, but she disapproved of boxing. In order to hide his real identity, he fought under a new name. That name being "Barney Ross".
I'm sure you all know his achievements in boxing, but let me just do a run-down:
- Record of 72-4-3
- Hall of Famer
- Three-weight world champion
- Held wins over 4 Hall of Famer's and 5 world champions
Without a doubt, one of boxing's greatest fighters and greatest men.
He was willing to die in battle for his country
Ross willingly entered the U.S. Marines, at around age 32. He was well beyond the draft age, but felt he had purpose to fight for his country.
Originally, he was asked to serve as a boxing instructor, but he requested to be sent into battle. He was sent to Guadalcanal Island, which was of the most dangerous places to be in combat.
He risked his life to save his fellow soldiers
He and three of his fellow soldiers were attacked by Japanese troops, one night. When those three soldiers were wounded by the troops, Ross brought them into a crater hole to make sure they would remain safe. On his own, he protected them by firing over 200 rifle rounds (some sources say 400) at the enemies. When the bullets ran out, he threw 22 grenades at enemy machine gun positions.
He lasted throughout the night, but two of his three fellow soldiers that he attempted to save had died. While out of ammunition and wounded in the leg and foot, he carried the remaining soldier to safety. Keep in mind that Ross weighed around 140 pounds, while the remaining soldier weighed around 230 pounds.
For his act of heroism, Ross received the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and a Presidential Citation.
He was against drugs
After sustaining injuries in the war, he became addicted to morphine. However, he eventually beat the addiction and became an anti-drug spokesperson. He would travel to schools all across the U.S. talking about the dangers of using drugs.
He battled back through life's adversity to achieve success
When he was 13, Ross' father had died after being shot by robbers in his store. His mother eventually had a nervous breakdown and most of his siblings were sent away. Ross, almost complete on his own, became a street thug. One of his street pals was Jack Ruby. He even went on to work for Al Capone, for a period of time.
Just when his life seemed like it was at a deep low, he bounced back. He decided to become a boxer, in order to make money to reunite his family. His mother returned, but she disapproved of boxing. In order to hide his real identity, he fought under a new name. That name being "Barney Ross".
I'm sure you all know his achievements in boxing, but let me just do a run-down:
- Record of 72-4-3
- Hall of Famer
- Three-weight world champion
- Held wins over 4 Hall of Famer's and 5 world champions
Without a doubt, one of boxing's greatest fighters and greatest men.
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