Lloyd Denison Ross was born on July 9, 1876, in Creston, Union County, Iowa. He was the son of George Dennison Ross and Laura Frances Delamare Ross. He was married to Martha Isabelle Adair Ross. He enlisted in the Iowa National Guard in 1894 at Red Oak. Over his military career, he served in the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, the Mexican Border Expedition, and World War I.

During World War I, as a captain in Company M of the Rainbow Division’s 168th Infantry, he led the first American-planned assault, boosting Allied morale. Later, as a major, he commanded the 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry, during the fighting in the Argonne. Despite heavy losses, his battalion successfully captured the strategic position at Côte de Châtillon. After the war, Ross continued his service in the Iowa National Guard. He was promoted to colonel and given command of the 133rd Regiment of the 67th Infantry Brigade, and in 1924 advanced to brigadier general, commanding the brigade. In March 1940, he succeeded Maj. Gen. Mathew A. Tinley as commanding officer of the 34th Division, composed of National Guard units from Iowa, Minnesota, and the Dakotas. Ross and Tinley were often referred to as the Guard’s “twin officers” due to their closely aligned careers.

Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 64, Ross retired with the rank of lieutenant general. After settling in Des Moines, he served for three years as assistant Secretary of State in the securities department. In 1924, he also helped organize the Polk County Federal Savings and Loan Association, where he later served as secretary, executive vice president, and director. He died on August 9, 1958, from vascular insufficiency. LTG Ross is now buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak, Montgomery County, Iowa, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com