Haitian Campaign 1915 - U.S. Marine Corps

Ross Lindsey Iams

• Rank: Sergeant
• Conflict/Era: Haitian Campaign 1915
• Unit/Command:
  5th Company
• Military Service Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
• Medal of Honor Action Date: November 17, 1915
• Medal of Honor Action Place: Fort Riviere, Haiti

In company with members of the 5th, 13th, and 23d Companies and marine and sailor detachment from the U.S.S. Connecticut, Sgt. Iams participated in the attack on Fort Riviere, Haiti, 17 November 1915. Following a concentrated drive, several different detachments of marines gradually closed in on the old French bastion fort in an effort to cut off all avenues of retreat for the Caco bandits. Approaching a breach in the wall which was the only entrance to the fort, Sgt. Iams unhesiatingly jumped through the breach despite constant fire from the Cacos and engaged the enemy in a desperate hand-to-hand combat until the bastion was captured and Caco resistance neutralized.