Defiance County, Ohio Genealogy: WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL - PFC Ross L. Pendleton

Private First Class

Ross Lynn Pendleton

The former Agnes Sprow received word that her husband, PFC Ross Pendelton, aged 25, was killed in action April 21, 1945. He was serving with the 85th Mountain Infantry of the 19th Division, Fifth Army near Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

The Crescent-News noted that, at the time of his death, Ross was the 68th fatality from Defiance County.

Ross Pendleton was born in rural Washington Township on October 18, 1919, to Calvin C. and Florence (Garber) Pendleton. After graduation from Ney High School, in 1937, he married in August 1939, to Agnes Sprow, the daughter of Arthur and Katie (McFeeters). The couple were both 19. In the 1940 census, Ross and Agnes were living in Washington Twp. Ross was attending International Business College and eventually worked at the Aro Equipment Company in Bryan, Ohio. They had a son, Ronald.

Draft Registration Card

Ross entered the service on April 24, 1941, at 5'10", 139 pounds. He was described as having brown hair and blue eyes. He would serve in the 85th Mountain Infantry that trained for survival and combat in winter mountain conditions. The 85th Infantry was assigned to the Italian front, departing Hampton Roads, Virginia, on January 4, 1945, aboard the SS West Point, arriving in Naples, Italy on January 13, 1945.

85th Mountain Infantry Insignia - blue for
infantry, ram's head for skill in mountains, white
mountain peaks and the green boot for
Italy

The 85th was attached to the 10th Mountain Division. According to History of the Legendary 10th Mountain Division, "They trained hard to live, sleep, climb, ski and fight on snow. During maneuvers, the 10th would lay down their skis on the snow, throw their double sleeping bag on top of that and call it good for the night. The training created some of America's strongest soldiers, and they were called to prove it."

The 85th Mountain Unit joined forces with units previously assembled to attack the German strongholds high in the Apennines Mountains. In three major offensive attacks, with heavy casualties, the forces crossed the Apennines from south to north, entered and traversed the Po Valley.

PFC Pendleton was in the 3rd battalion of three with the 85th Infantry Regiment who traveled with the 10th Mountain. On April 21, 1945, the day he died, the 3rd battalion moved out at 9 a.m. to make a fast dash across the Po Valley which they had reached the previous day. The 3rd traveled with the 2nd battalion, with tanks following the 2nd and artillery following the third. However, they were exposed as they were on foot, drawing enemy artillery and machine gun fire as they crossed the valley. This is most likely where PFC Pendleton was wounded, during this 15-mile march.

PFC Pendleton died on April 21, 1945, at the age of 25 of a penetrating wound in the abdomen which traveled through the pelvis and back. He was first buried in Mongiorgio, Citta Metropolitana di Bologna, Emilia-Romagnia, Italy and later brought home and reinterred in Ney Cemetery.