The C.E. Daniel Collection
| 2nd Lt. Kenneth Grady Russell and S/Sgt. Ralph Forrest Russell Brothers who served in the United States Army Air Corps |
| Kenneth Grady Russell was born November 15, 1916 in Independence, Missouri, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mark K. Russell. Kenneth attended McCoy Elementary School and graduated from William Christian High School in Independence on May 17, 1934. Kenneth moved to California on May 23, 1934 and lived in Claremont for a short time. He attended Pomona City College while working in a gas station and serving as part owner in another gas station. Kenneth joined the United States Army on March 11, 1941. It is known through letters in his grouping that he was initially part of the regular Army, serving as an Military Police officer at Fort Worden in Washington, often spending time in nearby Port Townsend on his off time. In 1943, Kenneth is finally accepted as an Aviation Cadet and enters the Army Air Corps flight training program. Kenneth spent the majority of his aviation training preparing to be a fighter pilot, later finding himself in the cockpit of a heavy bomber. Kenneth graduated with class 43-H from Luke Field Advanced Flying School on August 13th, 1943, and was later assigned to a bomber squadron stationed in Hawaii. Kenneth Russell was the co-pilot of a B-24 (serial #42-41257) which was lost over Wake Island on May 18, 1944. Army Air Corps reports indicate anti-aircraft fire struck the right wing of the aircraft, causing the right wing to peel away and the aircraft to dive into the ocean. There were no survivors. |
| This page displays items from two groupings in my private collection, relating to two brothers, Kenneth and Ralph Russell, each of whom served in the United States Army Air Corps during WWII. Both brothers saw combat in different theaters of the war, only one returned. These groupings contain private letters, military paperwork, photographs and other items that provide a detailed glimpse into the world of a patriotic family who sacrificed and served in defense of our nation. Private letters from both Kenneth and Ralph show a devoted and loving family, constantly striving to remain in contact despite being separated by war and military service. Although not every single item from these groupings can be displayed, the items shown provide us with some insight into who these two young men were, their devotion to country and family, and their brave military service. |
Kenneth Grady Russell
| In looking through the paperwork and letters among Kenneth's grouping, one can see in his writings a loving son and brother, who kept in constant contact with his family during his service time. Kenneth and Ralph appear to have written to each other on a continual basis up until Kenneth's passing. In October of 1941, Kenneth responds to one of Ralph's letters about having been involved in an accident. Below is a Western Union "Kiddie Gram" sent to Ralph by Kenneth, wishing him a speedy recovery following the car accident. Found in the words among the letters he wrote is a caring young man who had a tremendous amount of love and caring for his family, always upbeat, constantly providing help and advice to his younger brother, and always concerned for the well being of his mother and family. |
| S/Sgt. Ralph Forrest Russell 824th Bomb Squadron, 484th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force |
| 2nd Lt. Kenneth Grady Russell 431st Bomb Squadron, 11th Bomb Group, 7th Air Force |
| Ralph Forrest Russell was born on July 6, 1922 in Independence, Missouri. Ralph moved with his family to Claremont, California in 1934. Ralph enlisted into the United States Army Air Corps on November 16, 1942, just a day after his brother attempt to enter into the flight training program before eventually being accepted and moving forward with his military training. Ralph would find himself classified as a gunner and would go on to serve as both an assistant engineer and an aerial gunner with the 824th Bomb Squadron, 484th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force in Southern Italy. In the large number of letters among his grouping, one can see that Ralph was no different than his brother Kenneth. Ralph was a loving son and brother who always made time to sit down and write to his family and keep them close, despite being so far away and while receiving exhausting training. Following the death of Kenneth in combat in the South Pacific, Ralph expresses deep emotion in memory of his brother, while maintaining a determination to get overseas and do his part in the war. The letters show an extremely patriotic family, determined to do their part and help win the war against the Axis. |
| The Western Union telegram Ralph received from his mother, advising him of his brother's death over Wake Island on May 18, 1944. |
| Two photographs from the ceremony of the 484th Bomb Group receiving the Presidential Unit Citation. The photograph to the left shows General Twining (Commanding Officer of the 15th AF) and an aide applying the citation streamer to the colors. The photograph to the right shows members of the 484th BG during the ceremony. |
| Russell's Crew: I am still researching Ralph Russell's military career. In looking among the large number of letters and military paperwork in the grouping, I have found several pieces of paper which show that Ralph Russell flew with the following crew for an unknown period of time: 1st Lt. Kenneth W. Spieth - Pilot 2nd Lt. Dudley Bayne - Co-Pilot Lt. John O. Ferris Jr. - Navigator Lt. Albert E. Vroome - Bombardier Cpl. Kenneth P. Benediot - Radio Operator Cpl. Donald M. Logan - Asst. Radio Operator Cpl. Gerry A. Rocheleau - Armorer-Gunner Sgt. William A. Monerief - Engineer Cpl. James A. Burroughs - Asst. Armorer/Gunner Pfc. Ralph F. Russell - Asst. Engineer If anyone has any additional information concerning Ralph or Kenneth Russell, or any of the other crewmen listed here, please feel free to contact me, I would enjoy hearing from you and adding to this story. |
| Several photographs of the same B-24, showing a tail serial number of #449941. The B-24 shows the correct tail markings for the 484th Bomb Group and is marked with "22" in several places on the fuselage. I am still looking for additional information regarding this aircraft and determine if this was the aircraft Ralph Russell served on. |
| Left: What the boys were fighting for! Three unknown beauties in bathing suits lounging on the trunk lid of a car, believed to be Ralph's civilian vehicle. Above: Ralph and Kenneth's mother worked in the Douglas Aircraft factory in Long Beach, California during the war. Above is an "E" award, given to her during her time with Douglas. The "E" award is still attached to its issue card and is complete as shown. |
| Ralph's 824th Bomb Squadron Enlisted Mens Club coupon book, showing Ralph's rank at the time as that of S/Sgt. To the right is Ralph's Army Exchange Service Ration Card, showing his assignment to the 824th Bomb Squadron. |
| This page is dedicated to the Russell family and their patriotic service and sacrifice to our great nation during WWII. Also visit the page dedicated to the military service of Eloise Ann Russell, Kenneth and Ralph's sister by clicking HERE. |
| www.ww2usakilledmissingpow.com Professional World War 2 and Korean War Casualty Search will perform a full search of military records on any U.S. armed forces veteran from the Army, Air Corps, Navy or USMC who were World War 2 or Korean War casualties including killed, Missing in Action (MIA), or Prisoner of War (POW).If you are looking for information related to US airmen or a specific aircraft from WWII, contact William L. Beigel at the link above for detailed research. |
The Crew of B-24 #42-41257 of the 431st BS, 11th BG, 7th Air Force:
Pilot: 1st Lt. James Houchins Asst Engineer: S/Sgt. Charles Saffir
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Kenneth Russell Radio Operator: T/Sgt. Leon Pollard
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Lawrence Degener Asst Radio Operator: S/Sgt. William Leese
Bombardier: 1st Lt. James Webb Gunner: S/Sgt. George Lanning
Engineer: T/Sgt. Harold Hursh Gunner: S/Sgt. Robert Scott
Army Air Corps reports indicate the Houchins B-24 struck the ocean in shallow water, just off the
reef of the east beach of Wake Island. The Houchins B-24 was nicknamed "Snooky."
Pilot: 1st Lt. James Houchins Asst Engineer: S/Sgt. Charles Saffir
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Kenneth Russell Radio Operator: T/Sgt. Leon Pollard
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Lawrence Degener Asst Radio Operator: S/Sgt. William Leese
Bombardier: 1st Lt. James Webb Gunner: S/Sgt. George Lanning
Engineer: T/Sgt. Harold Hursh Gunner: S/Sgt. Robert Scott
Army Air Corps reports indicate the Houchins B-24 struck the ocean in shallow water, just off the
reef of the east beach of Wake Island. The Houchins B-24 was nicknamed "Snooky."
Ralph Russell's Army Air Corps Pilot and Crew Member Physical Record
Cards, his Soldier's Individual Pay Record and his coupon book from the
824th Bomb Squadron Enlisted Mens Club.
Cards, his Soldier's Individual Pay Record and his coupon book from the
824th Bomb Squadron Enlisted Mens Club.
| Above left: The original Army Air Corps issued military police baton carried by Kenneth Russell while serving as a military police officer. A special thanks to Bob at Vintage Productions (Huntington Beach) for locating this item for me. |