Victor Mahlon Gross

Second Lieutenant Victor Mahlon Gross was born to Dr. Benjamin Gross and his wife, the former Sydney Blaker, on August 30, 1946. He grew up in Camden, New Jersey, where his father was a prominent osteopath during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. The family lived at 2351 Baird Boulevard in East Camden, and later moved to Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Victor Gross had one older brother, Charles.

After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School, Victor M. Gross entered Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania as a member of the class of 1968. He went into the United States Army prior to graduation. After undergoing basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, he was sent to Officers Candidate School and after completing his training was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.

Lieutenant Gross began his tour of duty in Vietnam on September 18, 1967. He was posted as missing on October 7, 1967 in Long An Province on his first night combat mission as an infantry unit commander. He was later recorded as died while missing due to hostile action. He had been in South Vietnam less than three weeks. His body was recovered and returned to the United States. Victor M. Gross is buried in Crescent Burial Park in Pennsauken, NJ.

Victor M. Gross is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Panel 27E, Line 64.

40 Years Without My Friend

I can’t believe it has been 40 years since you left us, Vic. Today is September 28, 2007. I look at the letter I got from your mother and think about those days gone by. Your parents are both gone now also. I am now retired and would love to see my friend again, but unfortunately you are not here. Miss you greatly, Vic.

— Albert Dobbins — September 28, 2007

A College Friend

Vic, you were a very handsome guy with a great sense of humor. We shared a lot of laughs together in Morgan Hall at Dickinson College. Along with a lot of your other friends I think of you often and miss you.

— John Kennedy, Jermyn, Pennsylvania — July 30, 2004

My Birthday Buddy

Miss you, Vic. We shared a birthday, a day and year apart, mine being 8/29/45 and his 8/30/46. We were a year apart at the same high school. I processed his application at Fort Dix for Officer’s Candidate School and put two weeks leave in his orders before reporting. Unfortunately, my friend didn’t return. You are on my mind very often. Happy Birthday today, my friend. Your friend, Al.

— Albert Dobbins, Camden, New Jersey — August 30, 2002