Edward William Ross
February 13, 1944 ~ May 26, 2017
Edward William Rossa decorated U.S Army Intelligence and Foreign Area Officer and noted analyst of U.S.-China relations whose 42 years of military and federal service included two tours in Vietnamdied May 26 at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center from complications of congestive heart failure. He was 73.
Mr. Ross is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patricia Ann Ross (nee Enoch), son Ryan Ross, daughter and son-in-law, Robyn and Bill Addis, and two grandsons, Wyatt and Jackson Addis. Mr. Ross is also survived by his siblings Blair Ross, Terry Camp, Bobbie White, Rick Ross and Randy Ross. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to parents Ralph Edward and Virginia Blair Ross, and was raised in House Springs, Missouri. He was a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth Kansas; the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington, D.C.; the Defense Language Institute, Washington, D.C.; and the American Embassy School for Chinese Language and Area Studies, Taichung, Taiwan. He was fluent in Mandarin Chinese.
As a US Army Officer he served as the Assistant Army Attach to the People's Republic of China, as a senior political-military analyst in the Defense Intelligence Agency, and as the Chief, Counterespionage- Counterintelligence, 500th Military Intelligence Group, Hawaii, where he directed operations in the Pacific Theater.
During his first tour of duty in Vietnam, Mr. Ross served as an artillery forward and air observer with the 9th Infantry Division's Mobile Riverine Force in the Mekong Delta. He flew more than 300 combat and combat support missions in O-1 and H-23 aircraft. In 1997, Mr. Ross was inducted into the Artillery Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame for his accomplishments. As a military intelligence officer during his second tour of duty, he commanded intelligence collection detachments of the 525th Military Intelligence Group in Pleiku and Nha Trang.
Mr. Ross completed extensive postgraduate work toward a Ph.D. in International Relations and United States Domestic Politics at the George Washington University. He received a Master of Arts Degree in National Security Affairs with distinction from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Quincy College, Quincy Illinois.
Mr. Ross served as a U.S. Army Foreign Area Officer and traveled extensively throughout Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. His military service was recognized with a Silver Star, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Bronze Star. In addition, he was awarded the President's Meritorious Senior Executive Rank Award by President George W. Bush, received three Secretary of Defense Medals for Meritorious Civilian Service, conferred by Secretaries Dick Cheney, William Perry, and Robert Gates, and was honored with the Order of Resplendent Banner with Yellow Grand Cordon, which was presented by the Minister of Defense of Taiwan.
Mr. Ross authored numerous articles on U.S.-Chinese-Taiwan military relations and other topics, as well as novels, a political commentary blog, and his memoir, which is currently awaiting publication. One of his favorite quotes was from Yul Brynner, who said, "You are born alone, you live alone, and you die alone. If you accept this as reality, then any friendship, any relationship that contributes to your life you are grateful for. You accept it as a gift." He genuinely believed life is a journey to an unknown destination, one best travelled in the company of great Americans.
A visitation of the family will be held at Money & King Memorial Home (171 Maple Avenue West, Vienna, VA 22180) on Friday, June 2 from 6:00 PM 8:00 PM. A memorial service and interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Service:
Ft. Myer Old Post Chapel
204 Lee Avenue
Arlington, VA
US 22211
Mr. Ross is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patricia Ann Ross (nee Enoch), son Ryan Ross, daughter and son-in-law, Robyn and Bill Addis, and two grandsons, Wyatt and Jackson Addis. Mr. Ross is also survived by his siblings Blair Ross, Terry Camp, Bobbie White, Rick Ross and Randy Ross. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to parents Ralph Edward and Virginia Blair Ross, and was raised in House Springs, Missouri. He was a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth Kansas; the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington, D.C.; the Defense Language Institute, Washington, D.C.; and the American Embassy School for Chinese Language and Area Studies, Taichung, Taiwan. He was fluent in Mandarin Chinese.
As a US Army Officer he served as the Assistant Army Attach to the People's Republic of China, as a senior political-military analyst in the Defense Intelligence Agency, and as the Chief, Counterespionage- Counterintelligence, 500th Military Intelligence Group, Hawaii, where he directed operations in the Pacific Theater.
During his first tour of duty in Vietnam, Mr. Ross served as an artillery forward and air observer with the 9th Infantry Division's Mobile Riverine Force in the Mekong Delta. He flew more than 300 combat and combat support missions in O-1 and H-23 aircraft. In 1997, Mr. Ross was inducted into the Artillery Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame for his accomplishments. As a military intelligence officer during his second tour of duty, he commanded intelligence collection detachments of the 525th Military Intelligence Group in Pleiku and Nha Trang.
Mr. Ross completed extensive postgraduate work toward a Ph.D. in International Relations and United States Domestic Politics at the George Washington University. He received a Master of Arts Degree in National Security Affairs with distinction from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Quincy College, Quincy Illinois.
Mr. Ross served as a U.S. Army Foreign Area Officer and traveled extensively throughout Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. His military service was recognized with a Silver Star, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Bronze Star. In addition, he was awarded the President's Meritorious Senior Executive Rank Award by President George W. Bush, received three Secretary of Defense Medals for Meritorious Civilian Service, conferred by Secretaries Dick Cheney, William Perry, and Robert Gates, and was honored with the Order of Resplendent Banner with Yellow Grand Cordon, which was presented by the Minister of Defense of Taiwan.
Mr. Ross authored numerous articles on U.S.-Chinese-Taiwan military relations and other topics, as well as novels, a political commentary blog, and his memoir, which is currently awaiting publication. One of his favorite quotes was from Yul Brynner, who said, "You are born alone, you live alone, and you die alone. If you accept this as reality, then any friendship, any relationship that contributes to your life you are grateful for. You accept it as a gift." He genuinely believed life is a journey to an unknown destination, one best travelled in the company of great Americans.
A visitation of the family will be held at Money & King Memorial Home (171 Maple Avenue West, Vienna, VA 22180) on Friday, June 2 from 6:00 PM 8:00 PM. A memorial service and interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Service:
Ft. Myer Old Post Chapel
204 Lee Avenue
Arlington, VA
US 22211
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I have worked with Ed for many years. He was a fixture at the conference I run, and I was devastated when I heard of his passing. I spent some time over the weekend listening to some audio recordings he sent me once, where Ed recounted his history with US-Taiwan-China relations and U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. He was a wonderful man, and I will miss him so much, both personally and professionally. RIP to the coolest “old guy” (his words) I have ever known.
Rest in Peace Ed. Your legacy will remain with old China Hands.
I’ll miss you Uncle Ed
Rest in Peace. Your example of service, leadership and integrity will continue to inspire many.
Ed, You were a terrific colleague and friend. We will certainly miss you.
I will miss you terribly. You were an awesome brother. RIP.
Ed, Thank you for the great memories and mentorship. You’re missed! Rafa
Few soldiers have served their country in uniform and civies as completely and as excellently as you, Ed! We roamed the Delta, went to MI Officer Advanced Course together, and Al Warmington and I saw you,Pat,and the kids off to China as you passed thru Hawaii! God bless you and be with your family!! Look over them!
Brother B is for beloved, my brother is to me R is for radiant, a true friend is he O is for outgoing, his charm debonair T is for touching, memories we share H is for heroic, especially in my eyes E is for exuberant, there is no disguise R is for reliable, so steadfast and tall My “Brother” is to me the very best of all We love you Edward and will miss you so, but only until we meet again. Love Rick & Laura
A true American friend to Taiwan, helping Taiwan building up its capability to defend and protect our freedom and democracy. Rest in Peace
Farewell old friend. It was a wonderful to know and work with you. Great memories will always be with you and yours. Rest in peace Ed. Jack Leide (Ann), Major General, USA, (Ret)