F/O Roy L. Kross
6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
F-4 Lightning pilot

Background
Roy Leonard Kross was born June 5, 1922 to parents Fred W. Kross and Lillian R. (née Kiphuth) Kross in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated Calumet High School class of 1940. completed four years of high school and was employed in automotive manufacture.

Wartime History
On August 20, 1940 joined the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) as a private with serial number 16027536 for enlistment in the Philippine Department. Assigned to the replacement center in Santa Ana, California and attended flight school, earned his wings and was commissioned as a Flight Officer with serial number O-186666. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, assigned to the 94th Pursuit Squadron (94th PS).

He married Florence Latek. Kross was sent overseas to Australia and assigned to the 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group (6th PRG), 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (25th PRS) and attached to the 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (8th PRS) "Eight Ballers".

Mission History
On December 5, 1943 took off from 14 Mile Drome near Port Moresby piloting F-4 Lightning 41-2122 on a on a local orientation flight along with F-4 "Malaria Mabel" 41-2130 piloted by Lt Danvers. While flying low over the sea, Kross apparently lost control and attempted to ditch off Hood Point. Instead, this F-4 Lightning overshot the landing and crashed into Hula village and Kross was burned and severely injured.

Rescue
After the crash, F-4 "Malaria Mabel" 41-2130 pilot Lt Danvers radioed Port Moresby of the crash then landed at Hood Point Airfield and transported injured Kross to Port Moresby arriving at 9:30pm where he was hospitalized at the 171st Station Hospital. Meanwhile, 5th Bomber Command phoned the 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (PRS) to inform them. Captain Skyes borrowed a L-5 Sentinel to transport a doctor to Hood Point Airfield. Kross was flown to Port Moresby arriving at 9:30pm and admitted into the 171st Station Hospital. He died of his injuries on December 6, 1943.

Memorials
Kross was officially declared dead on December 6, 1943. and was initially buried at Port Moresby. On January 9, 1944 a memorial service was held at Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Postwar, his remains were transported to the United States for permanent burial. On June 10, 1948, a funeral service was again held at Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church attended by his mother and widow. Afterwards, he was permanently buried with full military honors at Fairmount-Willow Hills Memorial Park in Willow Springs, IL.

He was also memorialized on the Lutheran War Heroes Plaque recognizing 300 Lutheran (Missouri Synod) from the Chicago area who died in World War II at Walther Memorial Hospital in North Kedzle Avenue in Chicago, IL. After the hospital closed, the location of this plaque is unknown.

Relatives
Florence Latek (wife)
Fred W. Kross died November 23, 1943 (father)
Lillian R. (née Kiphuth) Kross died February 9, 1976 (mother)
Joan Kross (sister)

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Roy L. Kross
Chicago Tribune "Southwest Side High Schools Give Diplomas to 4,746" June 23, 1940 page 133
Chicago Tribune "With America's Fighters" May 10, 1942 page 125
Belvidere Daily Republican "Relative Killed in New Guinea" December 16, 1943 page 2
Chicago Tribune "Death Notices: Kross, F/O Roy L." January 9, 1944 page 16
Chicago Tribune "Lutheran War Heroes Plaque to be Unveiled" May 25, 1947 page 221
Chicago Tribune "Obituary Roy L. Kross" June 6, 1948
"Kross - Roy L. Kross, F/O 25th Photo Recon. Sqd., at New Guinea, 12/5/1943, late of 1401 W. 82nd st., husband of Florence, nee Latek, son of Lillian and the late Fred, brother of Joan. Resting at funeral home, 1844 W. 63rd st. until 11 a.m. Thurs. Service 2 p.m., at Hope Ev. Luth. Church, 6400 S. Washtenaw av. Interment Fairmount."
Belvidere Daily Republican "Attend Rites For South Pacific Vet" June 10, 1948 page 6
FindAGrave - FO Roy L Kross (grave photo, obituary)
The Eight Ballers Eyes of the Fifth Air Force (1999) by John Stanaway and Robert Rocker pages 94-95
"Sunday, December 5 –  Another unexpected tragedy hit the Squadron today. One of the new pilots, F/O (Fred) Cross of the 25th Sq (L), 6th Gp, crashed in F-4 2122 near the Hood Point strip about 10:00 hours during a local hop designed to acquaint him with New Guinea. He was burned severely and was flown in a transport to the 171st Station Hospital in critical condition. He and Lt Danvers (2130) were flying together. Cross was apparently flying low over the water when he lost control of the plane. Bomber Command phoned Operations, and Capt Sykes flew to Hood Point in Bom Com’s L-5 to pick up the doctor and investigate the accident. Lt Danvers left 2130 at Hood Point and flew to the hospital with Cross. The ship was demolished. Part of a native village was struck before the plane hit a tree and burned... F/O Cross died early today as a result of burns sustained in his plane crash yesterday at Hood Point. The tragedy is made more severe when realizes that Cross’s father died a week ago. While none of the 8th Photo knew Cross well, his loss is felt deeply among the officers and men of the 25th Sq."

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