Marine Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Ross

Remember Our Heroes

Marine Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Ross, 19, of Gillette, Wyo.

LCpl Ross was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died March 24, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Marine from Gillette killed in Afghanistan
The Associated Press

GILLETTE, Wyo. — A Marine from Gillette has been killed while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense confirmed Monday.

Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Ross, 19, died Wednesday in Helmand province, military officials said Monday.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Ross’ uncle, Steve Sundermeyer, told the Gillette News-Record that Ross’ deployment was supposed to end in May. Ross’ survivors include his wife, sister and brother who is in high school but also plans to join the Marines, Sundermeyer said.

Ross’ father also had joined the Marines.

Ross played soccer and also swam at Campbell County High School.

He started working as a carpenter for Shober Builders as a teen and also was a state champion in the Skills USA carpentry competition.

“We sure thought a lot of him,” said his boss, Mick Shober. “I would give him a job back in a heartbeat.”

Shober’s eyes welled with tears as he talked about his former employee. He said he admired Ross’ sacrifice.

“It’s the sad part of war, but you can’t let the rest of the world stomp you down.”

Those who knew Ross said he was quiet, polite, intelligent, hardworking and kindhearted.

Friend Miles Fortner, 21, said Ross enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking and camping.

In 2008, the two decided to canoe the Belle Fourche River. They began paddling near Hulett and continued for more than 100 miles to Belle Fourche, S.D. During their journey, an oar broke and they lost a couple bottles of water.

“It just added to the adventure,” Fortner said.

The two kept in touch after high school, and last month Ross called him from a satellite phone. They chatted about Afghanistan.

“He said he was having a great time over there, doing what he wanted to do and wouldn’t take it back for nothing,” Fortner said.

Marine Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Ross was killed in action on 3/24/10.