World War II Honoree

Russell Lee Phelps

Branch of Service

U.S. Merchant Marine

Hometown

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

VOLUNTEERED FOR SERVICE WITH THE U.S. MARITIME SERVICE (USMS) AFTER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL IN 1944. USMS WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR TRAINING MEN FOR THE U.S. MERCHANT MARINE (USMM). UPON COMPLETION OF TRAINING, HE WAS RELEASED FROM ACTIVE DUTY IN THE USMS AND WENT TO SEA IN THE MERCHANT MARINE. THE USMM WAS A CIVILIAN AUXILIARY OF THE U.S. NAVY THAT OPERATED A FLEET OF CIVILIAN-OWNED SHIPS THAT CARRIED CARGO AND PASSENGERS TO ALL FRONTS. SERVED IN THE USMM DURING THE WAR AS AN ABLE SEAMAN ABOARD 'LIBERTY' SHIPS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND AWARDED THE HONORABLE SERVICE BUTTON. ISSUED THE MERCHANT MARINE SERVICE EMBLEM. CONTINUED IN U.S. ARMY AND AIR FORCE SERVICE AFTER THE WAR UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT WITH THE RANK OF MASTER SERGEANT.