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IN RECOGNITION OF ARTHUR RUSSELL'S 100TH BIRTHDAY
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HON. DEBBIE DINGELL
of michigan
in the house of representatives
Friday, March 26, 2021
Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Arthur Russell of Dearborn on the occasion of his 100th birthday. His contributions to our community and to our nation are worthy of commendation.
Mr. Russell was born in Texas but grew up in Plymouth, Michigan. During the Great Depression he became an avid small game hunter to help put food on his family's table. During prohibition, he helped his mother at her blind pig. He ended up leaving school after 11th grade and went to work on a milk truck and as a plumber's assistant. Seeing war on the horizon, he volunteered for the United States Marine Corps at age 20 in 1941.
He went to boot camp in San Diego, California and was first assigned to the armory there. He was then transferred to Jaques Farm and was assigned to train with the ``D'' Company of the Second Tank Battalion. He was integrated into the ``B'' Company and was deployed to New Zealand in the spring of 1943. After a few brief stops throughout the Pacific, the Second Marine Division assaulted Tarawa. This resulted in a 76-hour battle with the Japanese troops. His tank did not fare well on the atoll and was disabled by enemy fire. During combat, he was hit by sniper fire but was only nicked. Today, he proudly owns the rifle that the Japanese snipers used against him. He also participated in combat in the assaults on Saipan and Tinian. After being relived of combat duty he was assigned to guard duty in Washington, D,C. where he was a guard for the Main Navy Building. He was then transferred to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina where he was discharged from in 1946.
In 1948 Mr. Russell married Patricia and together they had six children. He began working in the Forestry Division of the Wayne County Roads Commission, where he rose to be Head of the Forestry Division. A true patriot, when the Korean War broke out, he joined the Navy where he was sent to serve in Guam and was promoted the rank of Petty Officer First Class.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Arthur Russell on his 100th Birthday. He has honorably served this country through his exemplary military service. I join with Mr. Russell's family and friends in extending my best wishes to him on his birthday.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 57
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