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<p><em>Andrew Patrick “Drew” Ross</em>, the son of Elizabeth Jones and Stephen Ross, was born in Lexington, VA. Growing up, Drew loved playing soccer. In his preparation for West Point, he graduated from Rockbridge County High School. Drew received a congressional nomination to the Academy from Congressman Robert Goodlatte of the 6th District of Virginia. </p>
<p>Drew excelled at physical fitness as a cadet, regularly exceeding a perfect score (300) on the Army Physical Fitness Test. He was on the Army West Point Soccer Team his plebe year and then was a member of the strength team for the remainder of his time as a cadet, where he helped corps squad athletes build strength in the weight room. Most of his classmates would probably say that Drew loved physical fitness so much because of the mental toughness it required. He loved to persevere through challenges. </p>
<p>Drew was a member of F-2 (“the Zoo”) his plebe year, and then was scrambled into F-4, Go Frogs! He loved his company mates. In the spring semester of firstie year, Drew was the cadet company commander (“Frog six”) of F-4. To hone his leadership skills, he majored in management. During his summers, Drew completed Airborne School and attended Cadet Troop Leader Training in Korea.</p>
<p>He graduated on May 21, 2011 and commissioned as an Armor officer. Drew went to Fort Benning, GA, where he graduated from the Armor Basic Officer Leaders Course, the Army Reconnaissance Course, and Ranger School. Drew was then assigned to 3rd Platoon, Bravo Troop, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment out of Fort Stewart, GA. During the weekends, Drew loved to go to the beach at Hilton Head Island, SC. He also became an avid CrossFitter. Drew and 6-8 Cavalry Squadron deployed to Logar, Afghanistan in 2013 for nine months, where Drew conducted combat operations with his platoon. Most importantly, Drew met his wife Felicia while he was at Fort Stewart.</p>
<p>Shortly after returning from Afghanistan, Drew helped train the West Point classes of 2015 and 2016 during Cadet Leader Development Training at Camp Buckner. He provided invaluable insight to the cadets based on his very recent combat experience. </p>
<p>Drew then went on to complete the Special Forces Qualification Course, which was no surprise to anyone who knew him. He earned the coveted Green Beret and went on to be a team leader in Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group—his dream job. </p>
<p>Drew and Felicia married on February 17, 2018. Their love was built upon their mutual care for each other and those who entered their lives. Not only was Drew a devoted husband, he loved his sister, Sarah, immensely and his nephews, John and Michael. </p>
<p>Drew and his team (SFOD-A 3126) deployed to Afghanistan in August 2018. On November 27, 2018, Drew was killed in action with three of his soldiers when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations. </p>
<p>He is preceded in death by his brother, Daniel Matthew Ross. He is survived by his wife, Felicia Ross, and their beloved dogs, Bubba and Dolly. He is also survived by his mother, Beth Ross of Richmond, VA (Joseph Gerschick); his father, Stephen Ross of Richmond (Kerry Torres); his sister, Sarah Ross Geisen, and her husband, United States Marine Corps Major Brian Geisen, Stafford, VA; his nephews: John Geisen, Michael Geisen, Andrew Geisen, and Daniel Geisen of Stafford; and his grandparents, Leonard and Margaret Ross of Richmond and Rowan Jones of Portsmouth, VA.</p>
<p>Drew’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal (second award), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Action Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.</p>
<p>One of the best descriptions of Drew came from his sister at his funeral:</p>
<p>“He was just the very best. The best husband, son, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend, teammate, and soldier. Just the absolute best. I challenge each of you to strive to be a little more like Drew each day. Spend more time with your families and love them hard. Push yourself harder. Smile more. Laugh with your whole body. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Make the time to keep in touch with people and cultivate good friendships. Never accept mediocrity.”</p>
<p>Grip Hands.</p>
<p><em>— Michael Shepherd ’11</em></p>
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