World War II Honoree

Russell E. Harrison

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Randall McDaniel

Relationship

Great Nephew

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON OCTOBER 28, 1942 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF AUTOMATIC RIFLEMAN (746) AND ASSIGNED TO COMPANY I, 381ST INFANTRY REGIMENT, 96TH ‘DEADEYE’ INFANTRY DIVISION. DEPARTED THE U.S. ON JULY 26, 1944 BOUND FOR HAWAII AND FURTHER TRAINING BEFORE ENTERING COMBAT BETWEEN TANAUAN AND DULAG IN LEYTE GULF, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ON OCTOBER 20, 1944. CONTINUED FIGHTING THROUGH THE SOUTHERN PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND RYUKYUS CAMPAIGNS, LANDING ON OKINAWA ON APRIL 1, 1945. WOUNDED BY ENEMY ACTION THERE ON APRIL 26, 1945. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION (AWARDED RETROACTIVELY), GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH ONE BRONZE ARROWHEAD (ASSAULT LANDING) AND TWO BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON MARCH 28, 1946 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, JEFFERSON BARRACKS, MISSOURI.