Early on New Year's morning, 1 January 1951, Ross was involved in what was apparently a minor accident causing an estimated $200 in damages to his vehicle. [But, adjusting for inflation that equates to $1,878.50 in 2015.]
  That holiday incident possibly portended his untimely death in 1959 which followed the Thanksgiving weekend.

Application for Headstone or Marker for Ross E. Bittinger and resulting grave marker fin the Cypress Plot within the Oak Lawn Cemetery, Eastpoint (Baltimore City), Maryland.

Ross enlisted in the Army at Baltimore, MD on 1 October 1941.

Pvt Bittinger volunteered for parachutist duty and was assigned to the 509th PIB.

On 28 February 1945 he was transferred from the 509th to Company A, 508th PIR.

Pvt Ross was wounded in action on 19 Aug 44 in France.  He was awarded the Purple Heart in the 508th's General Order #10.  Similarly he received the Bronze Service Arrowhead for the Southern France Campaign and Airborne Operations in General Order #30.  Based on the Application for Headstone or Marker he also was awarded a Bronze Star Medal.