Scope and Contents

The collection consists of approximately half of a linear foot of materials documenting William Russell's USMC service in Vietnam from September 1970 to April 1971. The materials include artifacts; notebooks; data books; guides and manuals; pamphlets; periodicals; electronic media; and books. The materials are dated predominately 1967-1971.

Biographical / Historical

Sergeant William J. Russell was born on January 23, 1948 in Cleveland, Ohio. He volunteered for the U.S. Marine Corps in 1967. He held various positions during his military career including maintenance, electrician, infantryman, truck driver, guard duty, and first responder. He trained at Parris Island, Camp Lejeune (Camp Geiger), and the Naval Air Technical Training Center throughout 1968 before being assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251, Marine Aircraft Group 32 at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. From 1969-1970, he served with the Marine Air Reserve Training Detachment at Naval Air Station Norfolk and at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, as well as with the 2nd Replacement Company at Camp Pendleton. In September 1970, Sergeant Russell was deployed to Vietnam, where he served with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 11, Marine Aircraft Group 11 stationed at Da Nang. In April 1971, he transferred to Japan and served with Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 11, Marine Aircraft Group 11 and Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 15, Marine Aircraft Group 15 stationed at Iwakuni. In June 1971, he returned to the United States and served with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 201 stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. In December 1971, he was honorably discharged. He received numerous awards including the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation and the Navy Unit Commendation.

Following his military career, Sergeant Russell was hired by the City of Cleveland, Cleveland Municipal Court as a deputy bailiff. He also worked as an independent contractor. He attended college on the GI Bill and earned an Associate of Arts degree from Cuyahoga Community College and a Bachlor of Business degree from Cleveland State University, as well as a Peace Officer Certificate from Case Western Reserve University School of Law Enforcement. He met and married his wife Leslie, purchased a home in a suburb of Cleveland, and raised four children. He retired from the court in 1997 and continued his contractor business until 2009.