[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 57 (Friday, March 26, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN RECOGNITION OF ARTHUR RUSSELL'S 100TH BIRTHDAY

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 26, 2021

  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Arthur Russell 
of Dearborn on the occasion of his 100th birthday. His contributions to 
our community and to our nation are worthy of commendation.
  Mr. Russell was born in Texas but grew up in Plymouth, Michigan. 
During the Great Depression he became an avid small game hunter to help 
put food on his family's table. During prohibition, he helped his 
mother at her blind pig. He ended up leaving school after 11th grade 
and went to work on a milk truck and as a plumber's assistant. Seeing 
war on the horizon, he volunteered for the United States Marine Corps 
at age 20 in 1941.
  He went to boot camp in San Diego, California and was first assigned 
to the armory there. He was then transferred to Jaques Farm and was 
assigned to train with the ``D'' Company of the Second Tank Battalion. 
He was integrated into the ``B'' Company and was deployed to New 
Zealand in the spring of 1943. After a few brief stops throughout the 
Pacific, the Second Marine Division assaulted Tarawa. This resulted in 
a 76-hour battle with the Japanese troops. His tank did not fare well 
on the atoll and was disabled by enemy fire. During combat, he was hit 
by sniper fire but was only nicked. Today, he proudly owns the rifle 
that the Japanese snipers used against him. He also participated in 
combat in the assaults on Saipan and Tinian. After being relived of 
combat duty he was assigned to guard duty in Washington, D,C. where he 
was a guard for the Main Navy Building. He was then transferred to Camp 
Lejeune in North Carolina where he was discharged from in 1946.
  In 1948 Mr. Russell married Patricia and together they had six 
children. He began working in the Forestry Division of the Wayne County 
Roads Commission, where he rose to be Head of the Forestry Division. A 
true patriot, when the Korean War broke out, he joined the Navy where 
he was sent to serve in Guam and was promoted the rank of Petty Officer 
First Class.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Arthur 
Russell on his 100th Birthday. He has honorably served this country 
through his exemplary military service. I join with Mr. Russell's 
family and friends in extending my best wishes to him on his birthday.

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