[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING RUSSELL DUNHAM, WORLD WAR II MEDAL OF HONOR WINNER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 22, 2009

  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to 
join me in honoring Russell Dunham, Medal of Honor Winner, who passed 
away at the age of 89 on April 6, 2009.
  Russell Dunham was born in 1920, in East Carondelet, Illinois and 
grew up on a farm in Fosterburg, Illinois. With his brother, Ralph, 
Russell traveled to Peoria, Illinois in August, 1940 to find work. 
Instead of finding a job, both of them enlisted in the Army and would 
serve together throughout the war.
  Russell saw action in North Africa, Sicily, and Anzio as part of the 
3rd Infantry Division. On January 8, 1945, TSgt. Russell Dunham and his 
platoon were stationed on a snowy hillside near Kaysersberg, in the 
Alsace region of France, near the German border. German machine gun 
nests were covering the Americans from positions at the top of the hill 
and American artillery units were about to begin shelling the location 
where Dunham and his men were situated. This prompted Dunham to take 
the courageous action that would earn him the Medal of Honor.
  With a mattress cover over his uniform to help blend into the white 
surroundings and carrying 12 carbine magazines and a dozen grenades, 
Dunham made his way up the hill toward the enemy position. When he was 
within 10 yards of the enemy machine guns, Dunham stood up to attack 
and was struck in the back by enemy fire. Despite his wounds, Dunham 
got to his feet to resume his attack, kicking away an enemy grenade 
that had landed at his feet.
  Dunham continued his assault, taking out the first machine gun nest, 
then proceeded another 50 yards where he took out a second machine 
nest. Finally, he made his way up the hill another 65 yards where he 
took out the third and final enemy location.
  As a direct result of Russell Dunham's single-handed charge, the 
lives of 150 of his fellow soldiers were saved. For this heroism, 
Russell Dunham was awarded the Medal of Honor at Zeppelin Stadium in 
Nuremberg, Germany on April 23, 1945.
  After returning home from the war, Russell Dunham accepted a position 
with the Veterans Administration where he worked for 30 years, 
explaining benefits to veterans.
  As is typical of so many who display rare acts of courage, Russell 
Dunham would deflect praise and insist that he did not consider himself 
a hero. He claimed that he was just doing his job. I am sure the 150 
soldiers who survived that day because of Dunham's heroics would have a 
different opinion.
  Russell Dunham is survived by a daughter, stepdaughter, stepson, 
three brothers, three sisters, three grandchildren and nine great-
grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in an expression of 
honor and appreciation for a true American hero, Russell Dunham.

                          ____________________