World War II Honoree

Russell A. Paxton

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Paint Bank, Virginia

Honored By

Prudence & Gerald Humphreys, Jr.

Relationship

Daughter & Grandson

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS IN K COMPANY, 87TH MOUNTAIN INFANTRY, 10TH MOUNTAIN DIVISION. FOUGHT IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGNS OF ROME-ARNO, PO VALLEY AND THE NORTHERN APENNINES. AWARDED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATRE RIBBON WITH 3 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE FOLLOWING CITATION FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE IN COMBAT APRIL 15 TO APRIL 27, 1945 IN THE APENNINE MOUNTAINS AND PO VALLEY, ITALY. 'THROUGHOUT THE CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN ITALY, HE DISPLAYED COMMENDABLE COURAGE WHILE UNDER FIRE, SUPPORTING HIS COMRADES TO THE UTMOST WHETHER IN OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ACTION. IN ONE COMBAT PHASE WHEN THE ENEMY COUNTERATTACKED IN FORCE, HE TENACIOUSLY HELD HIS FIRING POSITION AND HELPED DRIVE OFF THE ENEMY ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, KEEPING UP A DEVASTATING FIRE UNTIL THE ENEMY WITHDREW. WHILE FIGHTING IN THE MOUNTAINS HE SHOWED ADMIRABLE ENDURANCE AND NEVER FELL OUT FROM EXHAUSTION WHILE MOVING UPON WELL ENTRENCHED ENEMY INSTALLATIONS. IN THE FINAL PHASE OF THE BATTLE HE CONTINUED TO GIVE SUPPORTING FIRE UNTIL HE WAS BADLY SHAKEN BY SEVERAL NEAR EXPLOSIONS. EVACUATED, HE DID NOT REMAIN LONG AT THE AID STATION AND REJOINED HIS PLATOON A FEW DAYS LATER. HIS TENACIOUS SPIRIT OF AGGRESSIVENESS AND INTREPID ADVANCES UPON THE ENEMY ARE WHOLLY COMMENDABLE AND DESERVING OF THE HIGHEST PRAISE AND TRIBUTE.'