Samuel Gross
Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps
Medal of Honor Recipient
Haiti

Samuel Gross (originally Samuel Marguiles) (9 May 1891 - 13 September 1934) was a Private in the U.S. Marine Corps, 23d Company, who earned the Medal of Honor for his efforts during the U.S. occupation of Haiti in 1915.

Gross was born on 9 May 1891 at Philadelphia, PA. He is generally believed to be the only Jewish Marine to receive the Medal of Honor. During the U.S. occupation of Haiti, he participated in battles against the Caco bandit insurgency. During the battle for Fort Riviere, he saved the life of Smedley Butler who also was a Medal of Honor recipient and was one of only 19 people to receive 2 Medals of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps, 23d Co. (Real name is Marguiles, Samuel)

Place and date: Fort Riviere, Haiti, 17 November 1915

Citation:

In company with members of the 5th, 13th, 23d Companies and the marine and sailor detachment from the USS Connecticut, Gross 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, Gross was the second man to pass through the breach in the face of constant fire from the Cacos and, thereafter, for a 10-minute period, engaged the enemy in desperate hand-to-hand combat until the bastion was captured and Caco resistance neutralized.

Death and Burial

Samuel Gross died on 13 September 1934 and is buried at Har Nebo Cemetery in Philadelphia, PA. His grave is located in Section I, Lot 50.