Faces Bio

Peter F. Russell was born on March 12, 1940.  His home of record is Wharton, NJ.  Russell graduated from Ridgewood High Schoolin 1958 Columbia University in 1962, with a degree in InternationalRelations.  He was fluent in Russian andChinese (Mandarin).

Russell received flight training and received his wings withthe US Navy in 1963.  During this timeflying, he was deployed to the USS Intrepid and the USS Saratoga.He served as an instrument instructor for a time but preferred to be in theair.  Russell did not like jet aviationand longed for the propeller days.

He was deployed to Vietnam in March 1969 and assigned toLight Attack Squadron 4 (VAL-4), flying out of Binh Thuy, called the “BlackPonies”.  He attained the rank ofLieutenant (LT). 

Russell was killed in action on May 23, 1969, whileproviding air cover to a riverine patrol. He is buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Boothbay, ME.

Russell received numerous awards and decorations includingthe Distinguished Flying Cross with gold star, Purple Heart, Air Medal withnumeral 9, Navy Commendation Medal with combat V, National Defense ServiceMedal with gold star, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 bronze stars, Republic ofVietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 devise and Republic of Vietnam MUC GallantryCross.

Russell was survived by his parents and two brothers. He isburied in Evergreen Cemetery in Boothbay, ME.

Sources: Various websites, “At Death he was 25 Years Old” byChristopher C. Stout and NJVVMF.