World War II Honoree

Russell D. Barstad

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Portland, Oregon

Honored By

John & Kathy Danly

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE ON NOVEMBER 18, 1942 FROM PORTLAND, OREGON. UPON COMPLETION OF INITIAL TRAINING HE WAS ASSIGNED TO 380TH BOMB GROUP, 530TH SQUADRON, AT BIGGS FIELD, EL PASO, TEXAS, AS A HEAVY TRUCK DRIVER. ON APRIL 14, 1943, RECEIVED ORDERS AND WAS ASSIGNED TO 5TH ARMY AIR FORCE, WITH IMMEDIATE DEPLOYMENT TO AUSTRALIA. UPON ARRIVAL, HE WAS PLACED UNDER ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE COMMAND AND ASSIGNED TO FENTON AIRFIELD IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY IN THE NORTH WEST AREA OF OPERATIONS. SUPPORTED COMBAT FLIGHT OPERATIONS IN JAPAN AND CHINA AIR OFFENSIVE; NEW GUINEA; BISMARCK-ARCHIPELAGO; NORTHERN SOLOMON ISLANDS; SOUTHERN PHILIPPINE ISLANDS; AND THE WESTERN PACIFIC CAMPAIGNS. BY WARS END HE HAD OBTAINED THE RANK OF CORPORAL AND WAS REASSIGNED TO 312TH BOMB GROUP. DECORATIONS INCLUDE: GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC SERVICE MEDAL WITH 6 SERVICE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON WITH ONE SERVICE STAR AND DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTER. HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON OCTOBER 19, 1945 AT FORT LEWIS, WASHINGTON.