2nd Lt. Russell enlisted in the Army Air Corps on 9 July 1940 from Klamath Falls, Oregon. He had been working as a logger just prior to his enlistment, working for Pelican Bay Lumber Company. He was one of eight children, growing up near Klamath Falls, Oregon.

As a cadet, he went through flight training in 1943 atthe 63rd Army Air Forces Flying Training Detachment in Georgia. He graduated November 1943 with Class 1943-J.

By 1943, he flew the B-39 "Airacobra, and then the P-47 "Thunderbolt".

In the ETO, he served as a pilot of the P-47 with the 510th Fighter Squadron, 405th Fighter Group, 9th Army Air Force based in March 1944 at RAF Christchurch, England (AAF-416). By late June, the unit was flying missions out of Picauville Airfield, France (A-8) (near St. Mere-Eglise).

According to the Missing Air Crew Report (MACR 8511), on 14 August 1944, he was on an armed reconnaissance when his flight ran into a group of 20 German aircraft.

He was killed in action aboard his P-47-D (#42-76471) when it crashed in Fontaine La Guyon, France (just NW of Chartres). He had been in pursuit of an ME-109 at the time of his loss.

He was interred in the American Cemetery, Normandy, France.

He was awarded the Air Medal (3 OLC) and the Purple Heart.

Russell, Clifford Bradford, 2nd Lt