Barney Ross – The Samoan: Memories of a War During World War II

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By Jeremiah “Griffo’s Handkerchief” Preisser

Beryl David Rosofsky, better known by his prizefighting name, Barney Ross, had requested to be transferred to action in the South Pacific, as he had not enlisted in the Marine Corps to instruct platoons of soldiers in the art of self-defense in Southern California. Eventually, his request was granted and he was shipped off with the Fleet Marine Force in August, 1942.

Ross landed in Pago Pago, now the territorial capital of American Samoa. The six week stay on the island was meant for training; more specifically, to prepare the inexperienced American soldiers for the amphibious landings and jungle fighting which awaited them on Guadalcanal against the embedded Japanese. Before the former lightweight, junior-welterweight, and welterweight champion’s stay was up, he would engage in his final prizefight.

In September of the same year, word got around that a 215-pound, bare-chested Samoan fighting for the French “was giving our Army and Navy heavyweights a going-over.” To preserve the prestige of the Marines, and given Ross’ former accolades as pugilist, he was a natural selection in repaying the native’s fistic kindness in full. Barney, weighing only 150 or so pounds at the time, was reluctant at first, but eventually he was convinced.

A number of fellow Marines proceeded to create a bivouac, which acted as a sort of ring for the impending showdown. Hundreds of Samoans and Marines crowded the engagement area and lined the outsides of the bivouac with cigar boxes full of cash. The 215-pound Samoan, ready for a scrap, threw back a few shots of whiskey and warmed up. Ross recounted that his muscled foe was “one tough, hard, mean cookie. [He] wants to fight barefisted, which is alright with me, but Lieutenant Murdock wouldn’t hold still for it, so we put on 16-ounce gloves and had a three-round tussle. We fought under Marquis of Queensbury rules, but this baby didn’t mess around and I was sort of out of practice. Nevertheless, science did the trick and he went to sleep on the deck.”

Former Pittsburgh basketball player, Ben Malamude, a witness to the event himself, later stated that the heaving strongman hit the floor 11 times before taking a brief nap. Malamude and Ross both said that after Barney had secured his branches honor, a local chieftain offered Ross his daughter’s hand in marriage and a share in his rule. Barney Ross respectfully declined.

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