Corporal Samuel P. Russell was a Tail Gunner with the 12th Air Force; 57th Bombardment Wing; 310th Bombardment Group; 379th Bombardment Squadron; stationed in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO).

His Hometown was Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan.

379th BS War Diary
FEBRUARY 1944

This month started off in a most unfortunate manner. On the very first day, in a mission of 4 planes, 2 of our planes were shot down making an attack on an enemy convoy just west of Leros. The loss, however, was not in vain for two direct hits scored by Lt. Slater's and Lt. Lavender' planes which both went down, destroyed a 3000 ton merchant vessel. Damage by cannon fire was also inflicted on one of the two escorting corvettes. As a result of their brave acts, both Lt. Slater and Lt. Lavender were recommended for the D.F.C. (Distinguished Flying Cross)

01 February 1944; Sea Sweep Mission
A/C B-25; Serial #: 42-64840;
Maybe Art of "Short Snorter"
MACR: 2814

THE CREW:
P: Lavender, James F. "Jimmy", 2Lt, O-740841, Fayette Co. WV
CP: Staley, Warren Gray, 2Lt, O-747915, Kansas City, MO
B-N: Smith, Edwin A., 2Lt, O-741762, LA, Calif
RG: Garofalo, John V., Sgt., 32557629, Hudson Co., NJ
G: Johnson, Neil S., S/Sgt., 15324259, Ashtabula, OH
Tail G: Russell, Samuel P., Cpl., 16109060, Detroit, Mich

Samuel P Russell