Ross B. Reed, 43, native and lifelong resident of Delphi, died early last Thursday morning at St. Elizabeth hospital Lafayette, following an illness of many years. He had been a semi-invalid since returning here after being discharged from the army in 1946. Born here December 25, 1907, he was the son of Willard and the late Lula (Baker) Reed. His marriage was on July 25, 1934, to Agnes Long. Ross was an active member of the Delphi Baptist church and served that organization in many official capacities. His illness stemmed from an experience in World War II when he was serving as a ground soldier with the famed Second Battalion of the 25th Division in the Philippines. As a member of the unit, he was one who carved a historic niche in the annals of Leyte Island’s reconquest with an epic of grim courage and determination against overwhelming odds at the critical peak of fighting for the Ormoc corridor. His unit became known as Leyte’s “Lost Battalion”. The following is taken from the files of the January 15, 1945 issue of the Citizen, concerning his experiences. It is quoted from an official Army release: “The Battalion was battle fatigued from nearly a month of continuous fighting when it received orders to advance through the mountains to throw a road block against reinforcements attempting to reach strong troop concentration against American forces hammering to break southward toward Ormoc. This was before amphibious landing was made behind the enemy at Ormoc to smash his defense line. “Loaded with supplies and ammunition, the battalion had to fight the enemy and tortuous mountain terrain for four days to reach the road. After 24 hours without food, the men fought savagely to take the dominating heights. They ate rice from packs of dead Japanese and stripped the hearts from palm trees. An air drop provided a fraction of a meal a man. “They established the road block and held it for four days against enemy tanks, truck columns, artillery fire and fanatical charges. “Patrols fought for food dropped by airplanes near the enemy. They fought for water from a mountain stream. The number of wounded in foxholes increased alarmingly Medicine ran out. To conserve dwindling ammunition supplies the men were ordered to fire only when they actually could see their targets. “Men were continuously wet. Feet began to swell and “jungle rot” developed. They slept in foxholes that often were half-filled with water. Dysentery and stomach troubles weakened many. But they clung doggedly to the block across that vital supply road until ordered out after four days. “The retirement took another four days of fighting. Trails were treacherous. Stretchers made of saplings and parachutes sometimes had to be passed from hand to hand down steep slopes. At one swollen river, a rope of bamboo vines had to be fashioned to help the men across. “When the battered battalion finally reached the main American forces, its casualties were 10 percent killed or wounded. It had counted 600 Japanese bodies and many more were undoubtedly pulled away during the night attacks. Surviving with the widow are his father, Willard Reed of Delphi; a brother, Rev. Carl Reed of Winchester; three sisters. Mrs. Frances Gripe of Delphi. Mrs. Jack Allair and Mrs. Mary Townsend of Detroit. Funeral rites were conducted Saturday afternoon from the Baptist church with the Rev. William Rix conducting the ceremony. Burial was in the IOOF cemetery. Jackson funeral home was in charge of arrangements.

Delphi Citizen April 5, 1951