World War II Honoree

Russell Christmas

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY NOVEMBER 10, 1943 AT ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA AND BECAME A PARATROOPER, WHO SERVED WITH F-COMPANY, 2ND BATTALION, 504TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 82ND AIRBORNE ‘ALL-AMERICAN’ DIVISION. KILLED IN ACTION SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 1945 WHILE FIGHTING IN THE DEFENSE OF BASTOGNE, BELGIUM DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, ARDENNES-ALSACE CAMPAIGN. HE WAS INTERRED IN A BATTLEFIELD CEMETERY AND AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES IN EUROPE; HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED TO HIS FAMILY IN PENNSYLVANIA, WITH BURIAL IN A PRIVATE CEMETERY.