Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Technical Sergeant

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    307th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    77th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    May 4, 1945

    Headquarters, TENTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 185 (September 4, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Technical Sergeant John W. Russell, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 4 May 1945. An enemy strongpoint estimated as one company, was located on the reverse slope of a precipitous escarpment. This fortified enemy position had held up the advance of a battalion for six days. Sergeant Russell located the key to the enemy position, which was a concrete bunker containing two machine gun nests. About fifty yards distant an enemy machine gun covered all approaches to the bunker. Sergeant Russell volunteered to lead an assault team against this vital installation. When his assault team finally succeeded in gaining a position only thirty yards from the pillbox one man was severely wounded by an enemy rifleman. In order to attract the enemy’s attention, Sergeant Russell placed himself in an exposed position to draw enemy fire from the injured man in order that other troops might drag him fifty yards to safety. Sergeant Russell then worked his way through a heavy concentration of enemy machine gun and rifle fire to the concrete bunker. He succeeded in placing a satchel charge in the aperture and, in order to prevent the enemy from deactivating it before it could be exploded, he placed himself on top of the pillbox completely exposed to enemy fire from all directions. The explosion completely destroyed the pillbox. Sergeant Russell was severely wounded by the blast. As a result of the action of Sergeant Russell and his assault team, sixteen enemy dead were counted. The extraordinary heroism demonstrated by Sergeant Russell enabled his organization to overrun the enemy position and resume its advance. Technical Sergeant Russell’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 77th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.