[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21820]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                   TRIBUTE TO MR. KENNETH E. RUSSELL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 10, 2003

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay special tribute to Mr. 
Kenneth E. Russell, a member of my constituency and a true American 
hero.
  Ken Russell is the last surviving member of a group of 17 
paratroopers who, in the early hours of D-Day in 1944, parachuted into 
the town of Ste. Mere Eglise, France.
  Ken's heroism and bravery are to be commended. His actions during the 
D-Day operation have been included in many histories of the liberation 
of France, including D-Day and the Citizen Soldiers by Dr. Stephen 
Ambrose, among others.
  As he made his way to the ground from his C-47 troop transport, Ken 
witnessed unthinkable violence. Many of his colleagues did not make it 
to the ground before being shot by German gunfire.
  Both Ken and his friend, John Steel, landed atop a church in Ste. 
Mere Eglise. Ken landed especially hard, causing damage to his spine 
which limits his activities to this day. Both paratroopers were 
helpless as their parachutes were tangled in the church rooftop.
  As he dangled helplessly above the ground, Ken was hit in the right 
hand by German gunfire from the ground below. While still suspended in 
their chutes, both Ken and John were spotted by a German soldier. 
Before the German could shoot at Ken and John, he was shot by another 
American, Sgt. John Ray.
  After freeing himself from the church rooftop, Ken Russell blended 
into the landscape and later met up with paratroopers from the 82nd and 
101st Airborne. Soon after, the troops set up a defensive position on a 
road leading to Ste. Mere Eglise and came under attack several times. 
Each time they were successful in defending their position.
  For the wounds he sustained on the church rooftop, Ken Russell was 
awarded two Purple Hearts. For his determination and bravery, he was 
awarded the Silver Star.
  Mr. Speaker, Ken Russell is a true American hero. His selfless 
actions during the D-Day operation saved lives and contributed to our 
great victory in World War II. I can say without hesitation that our 
country would be a much better place today if there were more people 
here like Ken Russell.
  As we approach the 60th anniversary of D-Day, I hope all Americans 
will remember the sacrifices made by so many soldiers like Ken and will 
take time to thank them for their service.

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