b. 10/06/1878 Quebec, Canada. d. 01/12/1956 Togus, Maine.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 11/05/1898 Cienfuegos, Cuba.
Russell was born June 10, 1878, in Quebec, Canada and after enlisting in the United States Navy on December 11, 1896, was sent to fight in the Spanish–American War aboard the U.S.S. Marblehead as a landsman.
He was awarded the Medal of Honor for participating in cutting a communications cable while serving on the cruiser USS Marblehead (C-11).
Russell was discharged from the Navy on December 10, 1899. On April 20, 1905, he joined the U.S. Army, served in the cavalry and artillery, and rose to the rank of master sergeant before retiring January 28, 1930. About 1910 he served with the 14th Cavalry Regiment in the Philippines.
Shortly after his discharge from the Regular Army, Russell was commissioned as a 1st lieutenant in the New Hampshire National Guard on May 10, 1930, and secured employment on the staff of the Adjutant General of New Hampshire. He was promoted to captain on October 11, 1931. In 1940 he was living in Portland, Maine.
MOH CITATION:
On board the U.S.S. Marblehead during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Russell displayed extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.
BURIAL LOCATION: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA.
SECTION 31, GRAVE 6377.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
