Rhiannon M. Ross was born in Cadiz, Spain on September 11, 1990 to Ralph and Holly Ross. Growing up in Wixom, Michigan, she attended the University of Michigan and was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy in April 2012. She received her Wings of Gold on March 14, 2014 and joined the ranks of Naval Aviation as Unrestricted Naval Aviator #32343. She lived and flew in Norfolk, VA from 2014-2018 and served on multiple ships with two deployments to Bahrain. She moved to Pensacola in 2018 where she served as one of the most highly regarded flight instructors at NAS Whiting Field, FL.
Her family was the most important thing to her and her parents Holly and Ralph raised her into becoming the woman we’ve all come to love, admire, and respect. She loved being the best big sister to Jacquelyn and Lydia and cherished the relationship they all had, always providing sage wisdom and her amazing perspective on this life. She loved her dog Gator and his brother Louis; always giving them love, cuddles, and treats no matter what was going on.
Rhiannon loved the beach, biking, fishing, travel, cooking, wine, dancing, and of course headbanging at rock festivals. Her and her husband Jason traveled to the Bahamas, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Malta, Greece, Dubai, France, Spain, Portugal and Bermuda and she was so excited to serve and live in Japan. She was an adrenaline junkie that loved roller coasters, thrill rides, and tattoos. She went sky-diving for her 30th birthday, and wanted to do anything and everything that could go faster than it should. She loved the beauty and mystery of nature and the cosmos and would’ve done anything to get to space.
Rhiannon was never going to stop learning and living no matter what life threw her way. Always looking for new books, podcasts, and adventures, she was so good at challenging herself and inspiring those around her to do the same. Her emotional intelligence and kind way gave her the ability to love and appreciate; to always see the good in everyone she met. Her patience, tact, and empathy are unlike anyone to have ever graced our lives. Everyone is better for crossing paths with the beautiful soul, incredible sense of dark humor, glowing smile, and tender heart that is Rhiannon.
LT Rhiannon Ross was posthumously awarded the Navy Air Medal for her heroic air skills while saving the lives of 17 servicemen from perishing in the Persian Gulf.
