Army Sgt. John W. Russell
Death: Nov 15, 2003
of Portland Texas; assigned to the 4th Battalion 101st Aviation Regiment 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) based in Fort Campbell Ky.; killed Nov. 15 when two 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters went down in Mosul Iraq. Russell remembered as excellent soldier loyal friend Associated Press PORTLAND Texas — Friends relatives and fellow soldiers remembered Sgt. John Wayne Russell on Nov. 24 as an exceptional soldier and loyal friend who could make everyone smile. “Anyone who ever met John saw he was so full of life” said April Fielder-Clark who had known Russell since she was 3. “I don’t know too many people who have as many friends as John. No one was safe from his jokes but it was all in good fun.” Russell26 and 16 other soldiers Died Nov. 15 when two Black Hawk helicopters collided in Mosul Iraq. Gen. Jack Gardner commander of U.S. Army South presented Russell’s parents and wife with a Bronze Star during Russell’s funeral. “He distinguished himself as a selfless soldier and in our view he is a true hero” Gardner said. “His company commander said he was a very talented guy who was highly respected and highly liked by everyone.” Russell was serving in Iraq with the 101st Airborne. About 200 people including many of his classmates at Gregory-Portland High School attended his funeral. Some held small American flags and wore buttons with his photo the Corpus Christi Caller-Times reported in its Tuesday editions. “I know as a Christian that John would never come back to this earth if he could because the world he knows now has no borders” Fielder-Clark said during the funeral. “I am deeply gratified for your service in the military and defending our country” friend and former classmate Steven Alvarez said during the service. “May you and your fellow comrades now soar among the angels where conflict does not exist but sweet serenity is infinite.” Operation Iraqi Freedom