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Robert Dale Russ |
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Engagements: • Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)• Gulf War (1990 - 1991) |
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Biography: | ||||
Robert Dale Russ Robert Dale Russ was born on 7 March 1943 in Portland, OR. He graduated from Wapato High School in Wapato, WA in 1951. In 1955, he received a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Washington State University (WSU). During his time at WSU, Russ was enrolled in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. In September 1955, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and entered active duty at Lackland Air Force Base, TX. He began pilot training at Webb Air Force Base, TX, and, upon completion in October 1956, he attended F-84F gunnery school at Luke Air Force Base, AZ, and then F-100A gunnery school at Nellis Air Force Base, NV. Upon his return to the U.S. in March 1969, he was a Plans Officer in the Fighter and Reconnaissance Branch of the Force Development Directorate, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, DC. In December 1970, he moved from the Air Staff to the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and served as Plans Officer for General Purpose Forces, J-5, Directorate of Plans, until July 1972. Russ graduated from the National War College in June 1973 and was assigned to the 68th Tactical Air Support Group, Shaw Air Force Base, SC, as Vice Commander. He held that position until becoming Deputy Commander for Operations of Shaw's 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing in January 1974. Russ was Vice Commander of the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, NC, from February 1974 until August 1975, when he became Wing Commander. In February 1977, he became Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans at Tactical Air Command Headquarters and, in July 1977, was named the command's Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, for Operations and Training. He assumed duties as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, for Control and Support in July 1978. On 22 May 1985, Russ received the four-star rank of General and assumed duty as Commander of Tactical Air Command with headquarters at Langley Air Force Base, VA. Tactical Air Command comprises more than 112,000 active military and civilian personnel stationed at 300 separate locations in 20 different countries; it is also the gaining organization for 86,000 Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel throughout the U.S. He remained in that command until his retirement. General Russ retired from active duty on 15 May 1991. During his career, Russ became a Command Pilot with more than 5,700 flying hours. Distinguished Service Medal On 20 April 1990, General Russ was awarded the Order of the Sword. This is an honor awarded within the U.S. Air Force and it is defined as a "special program where non-commissioned officers of a command recognize individuals they hold in high esteem and wish to honor. Those selected for induction are usually honored during a formal ceremony at a dining-in." Death and Burial General Robert Dale Russ died of cancer at the age of 64 on 22 May 1997. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, V, in Section 30. He is survived by his wife, Jean Evelyn "Johnson" Russ; two sons, Randall Hayes and Robert William Russ; and one daughter Robin Dell Russ. |
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Honoree ID: 827 | Created by: MHOH |