James Sargent Russell
Encyclopedia
James Sargent Russell was an Admiral in the United States Navy
.
, the son of noted architect Ambrose J. Russell
and Loella Janet (Sargent) Russell. He attended DeKoven Hall School and graduated from Stadium High School
in 1918. He joined the Merchant Marine as an ordinary seaman, before entering the United States Naval Academy
in 1922. He graduated, and was commissioned as ensign
, on 3 June 1926.
Russel served aboard the battleship . He entered the flight training program at Naval Air Station Pensacola
, and was designated a Naval Aviator
in 1929.
In the next decade he was assigned to tours of aviation duty both aboard ship and ashore, and also obtained a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology
.
In July 1941 Russell joined Patrol Squadron 42 (VP-42), a PBY squadron based in the Aleutians, and on August 16 of that same year, assumed command. When the United States entered World War II he led VP-42 into action against Japanese forces in the Aleutian Islands Campaign, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross
and the Air Medal
for his actions in leading his squadron against the enemy in "extremely hazardous weather conditions". Later that same year he was awarded the Legion of Merit
for his "exceptionally meritorious" services in establishing advanced bases in the area and operating his squadron from them. His squadron was itself also awarded a Navy Unit Commendation
. While in command of VP-42, Russell played a key role in the capture of the Akutan Zero
.
Russell returned to Washington for duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
and the Bureau of Aeronautics
. He then returned to the Pacific as Chief of Staff to the Commander of Carrier Division 2, part of the Fast Carrier Task Force
. For his planning and coordination of the Striking Group in action against the Japanese he was awarded a Gold Star
in lieu of a second Legion of Merit.
After the war, he commanded the escort carrier . He then reported to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission for duty as commander of the Commission's task group during the "Operation Sandstone
" atomic bomb tests of 1948. For his contribution to the successful completion of these tests, he was awarded a second Gold Star in lieu of a third Legion of Merit.
From 1951 until March 1952 Russell commanded the aircraft carrier as a unit of the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. Following this duty he again served in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, as Head of the Military Requirements and New Development Branch, Air Warfare Division, until July 1953, when he assumed duty as Director of the Air Warfare Division. He was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral in 1953. On 16 May 1954 he became Commander of Carrier Division 17, and in October of that year transferred to command of Carrier Division 5.
On 4 March 1955, he assumed the duties of Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics
. In that position he was awarded the 1956 Collier Trophy
, along with Mr. C. J. McCarthy of Chance Vought Aircraft, for their work in the development of the Vought F-8 Crusader supersonic fighter - the outstanding contribution to aviation in that year.
From June 1957 Russell served as Deputy Commander in Chief of the Atlantic Fleet with the rank of Vice Admiral before being appointed Vice Chief of Naval Operations on 21 July 1958 with the four-star rank of Admiral. He served in that post until 1962, and then as Commander-in-Chief of NATO's Allied Forces Southern Europe
(CinCAFSOUTH) before retiring in 1965.
; Italy's Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
; Peru's Great Cross of Naval Merit; and Brazil's Order of Naval Merit.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
.
Biography
Russell was born in Tacoma, WashingtonTacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
, the son of noted architect Ambrose J. Russell
Ambrose J. Russell
Ambrose J. Russell was an architect in Tacoma, Washington. He was Scottish and was born in the East Indies. He was trained in Paris at the Ecole des Beaux Arts where he was a classmate of Bernard Maybeck....
and Loella Janet (Sargent) Russell. He attended DeKoven Hall School and graduated from Stadium High School
Stadium High School
Stadium High School is a 100-year-old high school in Tacoma, Washington and a historic landmark. It is part of Tacoma Public Schools, or Tacoma School District No. 10 and is located in the Stadium District, near downtown Tacoma. The original building burned to a shell while it was still a partially...
in 1918. He joined the Merchant Marine as an ordinary seaman, before entering the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1922. He graduated, and was commissioned as ensign
Ensign (rank)
Ensign is a junior rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was traditionally the carrier of the ensign flag, the rank itself acquired the name....
, on 3 June 1926.
Russel served aboard the battleship . He entered the flight training program at Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola or NAS Pensacola , "The Cradle of Naval Aviation", is a United States Navy base located next to Warrington, Florida, a community southwest of the Pensacola city limits...
, and was designated a Naval Aviator
United States Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
in 1929.
In the next decade he was assigned to tours of aviation duty both aboard ship and ashore, and also obtained a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology
California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. Caltech has six academic divisions with strong emphases on science and engineering...
.
In July 1941 Russell joined Patrol Squadron 42 (VP-42), a PBY squadron based in the Aleutians, and on August 16 of that same year, assumed command. When the United States entered World War II he led VP-42 into action against Japanese forces in the Aleutian Islands Campaign, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
and the Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
for his actions in leading his squadron against the enemy in "extremely hazardous weather conditions". Later that same year he was awarded the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
for his "exceptionally meritorious" services in establishing advanced bases in the area and operating his squadron from them. His squadron was itself also awarded a Navy Unit Commendation
Navy Unit Commendation
The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944...
. While in command of VP-42, Russell played a key role in the capture of the Akutan Zero
Akutan Zero
The Akutan Zero, also known as Koga's Zero and the Aleutian Zero, was a type 0 model 21 Mitsubishi A6M Zero Japanese fighter plane that crash-landed on Akutan Island, Alaska Territory, during World War II. It was captured intact by the Americans in July 1942 and became the first flyable Zero...
.
Russell returned to Washington for duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
and the Bureau of Aeronautics
Bureau of Aeronautics
The Bureau of Aeronautics was the U.S. Navy's material-support organization for Naval Aviation from 1921 to 1959. The bureau had "cognizance" for the design, procurement, and support of Naval aircraft and related systems...
. He then returned to the Pacific as Chief of Staff to the Commander of Carrier Division 2, part of the Fast Carrier Task Force
Fast Carrier Task Force
The Fast Carrier Task Force was the main striking force of the United States Navy in the Pacific Ocean theatre of World War II.The Fast Carrier Task Force was known under two designations. The Navy made use of two sets of upper command structures for planning the upcoming operations...
. For his planning and coordination of the Striking Group in action against the Japanese he was awarded a Gold Star
Award star
An award star is a decoration issued to personnel of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard in lieu of multiple awards of the same award. An award star is very similar to an oak leaf cluster, which serves the same purpose in the United States Army and United States Air Force...
in lieu of a second Legion of Merit.
After the war, he commanded the escort carrier . He then reported to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission for duty as commander of the Commission's task group during the "Operation Sandstone
Operation Sandstone
Operation Sandstone was a series of nuclear weapon tests in 1948. It was the third series of American tests, following Crossroads and preceding Ranger...
" atomic bomb tests of 1948. For his contribution to the successful completion of these tests, he was awarded a second Gold Star in lieu of a third Legion of Merit.
From 1951 until March 1952 Russell commanded the aircraft carrier as a unit of the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. Following this duty he again served in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, as Head of the Military Requirements and New Development Branch, Air Warfare Division, until July 1953, when he assumed duty as Director of the Air Warfare Division. He was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral in 1953. On 16 May 1954 he became Commander of Carrier Division 17, and in October of that year transferred to command of Carrier Division 5.
On 4 March 1955, he assumed the duties of Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics
Bureau of Aeronautics
The Bureau of Aeronautics was the U.S. Navy's material-support organization for Naval Aviation from 1921 to 1959. The bureau had "cognizance" for the design, procurement, and support of Naval aircraft and related systems...
. In that position he was awarded the 1956 Collier Trophy
Collier Trophy
The Collier Trophy is an annual aviation award administered by the U.S. National Aeronautics Association , presented to those who have made "the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space...
, along with Mr. C. J. McCarthy of Chance Vought Aircraft, for their work in the development of the Vought F-8 Crusader supersonic fighter - the outstanding contribution to aviation in that year.
From June 1957 Russell served as Deputy Commander in Chief of the Atlantic Fleet with the rank of Vice Admiral before being appointed Vice Chief of Naval Operations on 21 July 1958 with the four-star rank of Admiral. He served in that post until 1962, and then as Commander-in-Chief of NATO's Allied Forces Southern Europe
Allied Joint Force Command Naples
Allied Joint Force Command Naples is a NATO military command. It was activated on 15 March 2004, after what was effectively a redesignation of its predecessor command, Allied Forces Southern Europe , originally formed in 1951...
(CinCAFSOUTH) before retiring in 1965.
Awards
Apart from his US military medals Russell was awarded French Legion of Honor; Greece's Order of George IOrder of George I
The Royal Order of George I is a defunct order of Greece.- History :The order was founded in 1915 by King Constantine I in honor of his father, George I. It was only the second Greek order to be created after the Order of the Redeemer in 1833, and remained the second senior award of the Greek...
; Italy's Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic was founded as the senior order of knighthood by the second President of the Italian Republic, Luigi Einaudi in 1951...
; Peru's Great Cross of Naval Merit; and Brazil's Order of Naval Merit.