Corporal
United States Marine Corps
Robert S. Russell, son of Dale S. and Clara C. Russell, was born in Moulton, Iowa circa 1922.
Robert graduated from Burlington (Iowa) High School, Class of 1940, where he was active in sports. He later attended Iowa State College.
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at Des Moines, Iowa on 24 November 1940. After his basic training at a San Diego, California Marine Corps base, he sailed for Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii in June 1941. He qualified as a radio operator and gunner. Since the attack on Pearl Harbor, Russell saw constant action in the Pacific Theater of Operations with the Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 232 (VMSB-232). His was promoted to Corporal in July 1942 and a few weeks later, his locked box containing personal property was sent home, signifying that he probably had been shipped out on a secret mission. In a 12 October 1942 War Department telegram, Robert’s parents were notified that he was reported as Missing-In-Action. Two days later, Robert’s parents received a letter from his commanding officer, informing them that while on a 10 October bombing mission, his plane encountered a violent storm and failed to return to base.
His parents; two sisters, Helen and Lois Jean; and a younger brother, John Cole, survived Robert.
Source of information:
1. The Burlington Hawk-Eye Gazette, 10 October 1942, page 1.
2. The Burlington Hawk-Eye Gazette, 20 October 1942, page 2.
3. National Archives, State Summary of War Casualties from World War II for Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Personnel from: Iowa.
4. A Tribute to The Cactus Air Force; http://www.daveswarbirds.com/cactus/vmsb-232.htm
Letter from Lieutenant Colonel R. C. Mangrum (Russell’s commanding officer) to Dale and Clara Russell:
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 or some the supreme sacrifice.
With deepest personal regrets, I am Yours very sincerely,
R. C. Mangrum
Lieut. Colonel, U. S. Marine Corps
Commanding
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