Roy Cross

Roy Edward Cross (Dec. 14, 1930 – May 4, 1952) was a U.S. Marine from Huntsville killed in action during the Korean War.

See Also: Scott Countians killed in war

Biography

Born Dec. 14, 1930, Roy E. Cross was the son of Lee Gypsy Cross (1894-1944) and Ollie Louetta Byrd (1896-1983). Among his extended family was aunt Cordia Ann Rector Potter (1899-1969), a prominent resident of Huntsville. His siblings included Beatrice Lillian Chambers (1914-1986), Macil P. Chambers (1917-2012), Mabel Cristine Shoopman (1919-1990), Beulah Mae Strunk (1926-1974), Ovia Ledford Cross (1934-1989) and Donovan Cross (1939-1939).

Korean War

PFC Cross enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on Sept. 21, 1951 and was assigned to the 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was killed in action on May 4, 1952. On that date, his regiment was engaged in defending the Pusan Perimeter near the Imjin River.

Aftermath

PFC Cross’s body was returned to Scott County and he was buried at Fairview Cemetery. He received the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and Republic of Korea War Service Medal. He is listed on the VFW Post 5669 Memorial Wall in Oneida, the Scott County Veterans Memorial in Huntsville, and the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial in Knoxville.