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Robert Samuel Russell

Corporal Robert S. Russell was a Marine aviator who flew with VMSB-232.
His aircraft was lost in a storm near Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 6 September 1942.

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Branch

Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 302028

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Current Status

Remains Not Recovered

Pursuit Category

The DPAA has not publicized this information.

Capsule History

Pre-War Life

Birth

September 11, 1921
at Moulton, IA

Parents

Dale Standley Russell (d. 1944)
Clara Louise (Cole) Russell

Education

Burlington High School (1940)

Occupation & Employer

None; enlisted after high school

Service Life

Entered Service

November 22, 1940
at Des Moines, IA

Home Of Record

1420 Jefferson Street
Burlington, IA

Next Of Kin

Parents, Dale & Clara Russell

Military Specialty

Aviation Radioman/Gunner

Primary Unit

VMSB-232

Campaigns Served

Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal

Individual Decorations

Purple Heart

Additional Service Details

Loss And Burial

Circumstances Of Loss

Corporal Robert Russell served in VMSB-232 as a rear-seat man, operating an aircraft radio and a .30-caliber machine gun. He frequently flew with Major Fletcher L. Brown, Jr., the squadron executive officer. Together, they participated in strikes against Japanese ground troops on the ‘Canal, and shipping near Ramos Island.

On 7 September 1942, Major Brown led a division of dive bombers in a strike on Japanese harbor installations on Gizo in the western Solomons. No aircraft were lost in the attack, but a “violent rain squall” blew in on the return flight. The formation, flying at just 200′ altitude, broke apart as each pilot tried to make his own way through the storm. One aircraft was seen to crash, and another disappeared in the gloom. The bomber with Brown and Russell aboard bomber (SBD-3 BuNo 03356) never returned Henderson Field.

Both men were declared dead on 7 September 1943.

My dear Mr. and Mrs. Russell:
It is my painful task to write you some of the circumstances of Robert’s loss. I hope that you have by now received official notification that he was reported as missing in action. Please understand that this letter in no way constitutes an official communication but reflects my high personal regard for Corporal Russell and the desire to furnish those closet to him with some information from those of us who fought with him against the common enemy.

It was on the 6th of September we lost Robert and his pilot, Major Fletcher L. Brown, Jr., my executive officer. Robert was serving as radioman-gunner with Major Brown. Returning from a bombing mission the flight encountered violent storm conditions. You will understand how difficult it is to be sure of what happened, but other pilots believe that from the last seen attitude and altitude on Major Brown’s plane it was out of control and could not have recovered. I believe that you would prefer to have the facts as we know them rather than cling to a hope we do not feel could be consistent.

Robert was one of our best men, strong, reliable, conscientious, and working with zeal to perfect himself for the arduous nature of his duties. His loss is a blow to all of us and particularly to the other radioman-gunners in the squadron who trained so hard with him to perfect our combat organization which has rendered useful service so far in this area.

I hope some day that it may be possible for me to call upon you and tell you further of the life here. Robert’s loss is in line of duty, in service of his country, for a cause which must demand of some the supreme sacrifice.

With deepest personal regrets, I am yours very sincerely,
R. C. Mangrum
Lieut. Colonel, U. S. Marine Corps
Commanding

Burial Information or Disposition

In July 1945, the wreck of an American aircraft was discovered near Doma Cove on Guadalcanal’s northwestern shore. A radial engine suggested an SBD-type bomber; serial numbers were retrieved from various parts of the airframe, and and eighteen-inch high number “21” was visible on the fuselage. Nearby was a crude cross grave inscribed “2 Men” and adorned with a speed plate from the aircraft. Badly shattered and commingled remains were exhumed from the grave and brought to the Guadalcanal cemetery for burial as unknowns.

A post-war investigation determined that the plane was possibly a Navy SBD, but the serial numbers did not match any manufacturer’s database. Colonel Richard Mangrum, the former CO of VMSB-232, recalled that his squadron lost their SBD #21 – and that Major Brown habitually flew this plane. However, Mangrum believed that Brown had crashed at sea, and commented “it would be very hard for him to believe” that the remains were those of Brown and Russell.

The two remains, designated X-182 and X-183, were buried in a common grave in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Plot D, Row 117, Grave 4). These may be the remains of Major Brown and Corporal Russell – only a DNA comparison will tell for sure.

Next Of Kin Address

Address of parents, Dale & Clara Russell.

Location Of Loss

Brown and Russell were lost on a return flight from Gizo to Guadalcanal. Exact location is not known.

Related Profiles

Pilots and aircrew of VMSB-232 lost in the Guadalcanal campaign.
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