World War II Honoree

James 'Russell' Garrett

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

La Prairie, Illinois

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE IN 1941. SERVED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER AND RECEIVED TRAINING AS AN AIRPLANE MECHANIC IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. AFTER GRADUATING, REASSIGNED TO STEWART FIELD AT WEST POINT, NEW YORK WHERE HE SERVICED AIRCRAFT FOR THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY. IN JULY, 1945, HE DEPLOYED OVERSEAS TO OAHU, HAWAII FOR SERVICE IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER. HE WAS STATIONED ON OAHU AT THE END OF THE WAR, WHEN THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALLY SURRENDERED ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1945, AND VICTORY OVER JAPAN (V-J) DAY WAS PROCLAIMED BY PRESIDENT TRUMAN. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.