World War II Honoree

James Russell Harrell

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Louisville, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTED APPRENTICE SEAMAN ON APRIL 18, 1944 AT INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA. COMPLETED BOOT CAMP AT NAVAL TRAINING STATION, GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS, WITH FURTHER TRAINING AT AMPHIBIOUS TRAINING BASE, CAMP BRADFORD, VIRGINIA. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED ABOARD THE LANDING SHIP TANK LST 581 OPERATING IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. EARNED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A COXSWAIN ON NOVEMBER 25, 1945 AT THE NAVAL PERSONNEL SEPARATION CENTER, GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS.