World War II Honoree

Ross Michael Cavanagh, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Evanston, Illinois

Honored By

Pearl Thomas

He joined the U.S. Navy in 1943. After boot camp and radio school, he transferred to his post on the minesweeper YMS-50 in New Guinea summer 1944. He and the YMS-50 swept mines during the Philippine campaign at Leyte and Manila Bay. On the morning of June 18, 1945, the MS-50 had orders to sweep off Balikpapan, Borneo to prepare for the invasion. They struck a mine. He and his 32 shipmates abandoned ship at their Commanding Officer's orders. After surviving several hours in the sea under heavy shore fire, they were rescued. At the end of the day though many were wounded, none of his crew mates were dead.