Gerald F. Russell
{{for|British psychiatrist|Gerald Russell}}
{{Infobox military person
|name=Gerald F. Russell
|image=Gerald-russell.png
|caption=
|birth_date= {{Birth date |1916|05|1}}
|death_date= {{Death date and age |2014|02|24|1916|05|1}}
|birth_place= Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
|death_place= State College, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|placeofburial= Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Virginia, U.S.
|nickname= "The Colonel"
|birth_name=Gerald Russell
|allegiance={{flag|United States of America}}
|branch= {{flag|United States Marine Corps}}|serviceyears=1940–1968
}}
Gerald F. Russell was a Marine who served in World War II, including missions to Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal. He commanded one of the first units to land in Japan and provided protection for the US technical teams covering the atomic bomb site in Nagasaki. Russell also witnessed the historical raising of the American flag on Mount Suribachi in Iwo Jima.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-2011-07-12/html/CREC-2011-07-12-pt1-PgH4858-2.htm|title=Congressional Record, Volume 157 Issue 103 (Tuesday, July 12, 2011)|website=www.gpo.gov|access-date=2016-03-07}}
Early years
Russell was born May 1, 1916, in Providence, Rhode Island.
Russell graduated from La Salle Academy in Providence where he was the National Schoolboy Miler winner in his senior year and awarded a Track scholarship to Boston College where he graduated in history in 1940. Russell was the first alternate for the 1940 US Olympic Team in the 800 meters.{{Cite web|url=http://kochfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/719/Gerald-Russell/obituary.html|title=Obituary of Gerald Russell|website=kochfuneralhome.com|access-date=2016-03-07}}
Education
He held a Master of Business Administration from George Washington University and a Master in Education from American University.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/whats_on/pritzker-military-presents/colby-symposium-turning-point-36-days-on-iwo-jima-1945/|title=Colby Symposium: Turning Point: 36 Days on Iwo Jima 1945 {{!}} Pritzker Military Museum & Library {{!}} Chicago|website=www.pritzkermilitary.org|access-date=2016-03-07}}
Military career
Russell later served as military representative to the 1968 US Olympic team and US Olympic site selection committee. He was the United States representative to the Conseil International du Sports Militaire in 1967. He was instrumental in starting and eventually coaching the United States Marine Corps (USMC) track team.
= Awards =
Awards: Republic of Korea Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star with ``V
Later years
Following his retirement from the Marine Corps in 1968, Russell went to Penn State to begin a second career as a university administrator at the behest of then-provost, Ralph Rackley. Russell retired from Penn State in 1987 as associate dean of the College of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.{{Cite web|url=http://news.psu.edu/story/305472/2014/02/25/former-associate-dean-col-gerald-russell-dead-97|title=Former associate dean Col. Gerald Russell dead at 97 {{!}} Penn State University|website=news.psu.edu|access-date=2016-03-08}}
Russell served as a member of the Centre County United Way Board of Directors, chairman of the Centre County United Way Day of Caring, and was community volunteer and leader, including with the Pennsylvania Special Olympics, and Centre County Toys for Tots.
Russell was known as "The Colonel."{{Cite web|url=http://www.centredaily.com/news/article42844410.html|title=Col. Gerald Russell, decorated Marine commander, Penn State leader and dedicated philanthropist dead at 97|website=centredaily|access-date=2016-03-08}}
In 2011, Russell was the inaugural awardee for the LT Michael P Murphy Distinguished Citizen Award.{{Cite web|url=http://www.navyleague-centralpa.org/files/murphy-russell-conway-dinner-presser.pdf|title=Press Release announcing Col Russell as the inaugural awardee of the LT Michael P Murphy Distinguished Citizen Award.|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=2016-03-07}}
Russell died February 24, 2014, at Mount Nittany Medical Center.{{Cite web|url=http://www.statecollege.com/news/local-news/american-war-hero-passes-away-colonel-gerald-russell-was-noted-community-leader,1457977/|title=State College, PA – American War Hero Passes Away, Colonel Gerald Russell Was Noted Community Leader -|website=www.statecollege.com|access-date=2016-03-08|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924110413/http://www.statecollege.com/news/local-news/american-war-hero-passes-away-colonel-gerald-russell-was-noted-community-leader,1457977/|url-status=dead}}
Legacy
Russell was buried with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.{{Cite web|url=http://www.centredaily.com/news/article42857583.html|title=Col. Russell laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery|website=Centre Daily Times|access-date=2016-03-08}}
The Marine Corps League's Nittany Leathernecks Detachment #302 honored Russell with a scholarship in his name. The Scholarship was established to provide post secondary education financial support for children and grandchildren of Centre County Servicemen and women who served their country since September 11, 2001.{{Cite web
| url = http://www.centre-foundation.org/funds/68-colonel-gerald-f-russell-scholarship-fund
| title = Centre Foundation
| website = www.centre-foundation.org
| access-date = 2016-02-28
| archive-date = 2016-03-16
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160316150333/http://www.centre-foundation.org/funds/68-colonel-gerald-f-russell-scholarship-fund
| url-status = dead
}}
The Centre County United Way Day of Caring was renamed to the Colonel Russell Day of Caring.{{Cite web|url=http://www.centredaily.com/news/article42864024.html|title=Col. Gerald Russell remembered for dedication to Day of Caring|website=Centre Daily Times|access-date=2016-03-08}}
References
{{reflist}}
= Further reading =
- http://rayelliott23.blogspot.com/2015/01/col-gerald-gerry-russell-1917-2014.html
- http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?18706-Iwo-Marines-visit-depot&s=66fe436f6e15a6a1aa9f2ae565bc4b3f&p=125543&viewfull=1#post125543
{{DEFAULTSORT:Russell, Gerald F.}}
Category:Military personnel from Providence, Rhode Island
Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Korean War
Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II
Category:Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences alumni
Category:George Washington University School of Business alumni