Samuel Gross (soldier)

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For other persons named Samuel Gross, see Samuel Gross (disambiguation).

Samuel Gross
May 9, 1891(1891-05-09) – September 13, 1934 (aged 43)
Samuel Gross, Medal of Honor recipient
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Rank	Private
Unit	23rd Company
Battles/wars	United States Occupation of Haiti in 1915
Awards	Medal of Honor

Samuel Gross (originally Samuel Marguiles) (9 May 1891–September 13, 1934) was a Private in the United States Marine Corps, 23d Company who earned the Medal of Honor for his efforts during the United States occupation of Haiti in 1915.

1 Biography
2 Medal of Honor citation
3 See also
4 Notes
5 References

[edit] Biography

Gross was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is generally believed to be the only Jewish Marine to receive the Medal of Honor. During the battle he saved the life of Smedley Butler who also was a Medal of Honor recipient and was one of only 19 people to receive 2 Medals of Honor.

He died September 9, 1934 and is buried in Nebo Cemetery Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.^[1] His grave can be found in section I, lot 50.^[1]

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps, 23d Co. (Real name is Marguiles, Samuel.) Born: 9 May 1891, Philadelphia, Pa. Accredited to: Pennsylvania.

Citation:

In company with members of the 5th, 13th, 23d Companies and the marine and sailor detachment from the U.S.S. Connecticut, Gross participated in the attack on Fort Riviere, Haiti, 17 November 1915. Following a concentrated drive, several different detachments of marines gradually closed in on the old French bastion fort in an effort to cut off all avenues of retreat for the Caco bandits. Approaching a breach in the wall which was the only entrance to the fort, Gross was the second man to pass through the breach in the face of constant fire from the Cacos and, thereafter, for a 10-minute period, engaged the enemy in desperate hand-to-hand combat until the bastion was captured and Caco resistance neutralized.^[2]