Oscar Russell

Oscar Leroy Russell, age 91, and a resident of Biloxi, Mississippi, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2015 at the V.A. Hospice in Biloxi, MS. Mr. Russell was the third of three sons born to John and Vadie Russell of Lucien, MS. Oscar was born in Lucien on November 28, 1923 where he attended elementary school. After attending high school in McCall Creek, Mississippi, Oscar went to the National Youth Administration (NYA) in Brookhaven. There he learned the sheet metal trade and eventually worked for the U.S. Aluminum Company in Bridgeport, CT for two years. Following his time there, Oscar went on to enlist in the U.S. Naval Reserves and went to Bainbridge, MD, for boot camp. Oscar Russell earned a distinguished naval record during World War II. As a gunner’s mate, he was assigned duty aboard a specially equipped LCT -5 landing craft, the smallest type designed to carry tanks. Thirty-five of the craft were modified with armor and designated LCT-5 (A). Each of these craft would carry two tanks and a platoon of army demolition teams onto Omaha Beach on the first wave on D-Day, 6th June, 1944. Of those thirty-five special craft, twenty six, including Oscar’s, were written off that day. Oscar and his crew left their beached, disabled vessel to rescue wounded men strewn across the beach. Under fire, they took wounded men to their disabled craft where its steel sides afforded some cover for the wounded to be treated by medics who set up an aid station. Finally taken off the beach and returned to England, Oscar was given brief leave to return home to Mississippi before being sent to Washington State to board his new “mini” ship, LCS 86, designed to support landing troops inshore and defend the fleet against Kamikaze attacks offshore. The LCS, only 158 feet in length, was foot for foot the heaviest armed craft in the Navy. LCS 86 took part in the landings at Okinawa. Thus, Oscar Russell was one of the very few men of any armed service to take part in the two largest amphibious assault landings in history. He was in charge of the guns on a mini-ship credited with knocking down many Kamikazes as well as rescuing crewmen from ships sunk by such attacks and supporting troops on shore. He continued on to the Occupation of Japan in the Pacific Islands for several months. After serving his beloved country and surviving the combat and horror of the landings on both Omaha Beach and Okinawa, Oscar returned home. After his release from active duty, Oscar was employed by Armstrong Tire and Rubber Company in Natchez, MS for the next eleven and one-half years. While working there, he met Helen Jackson, of Natchez, Mississippi, who went on to become his beloved wife of 67+ years. Oscar and Helen had two children, Vickie Ann, born June 22, 1951, and David Earl, born January 23, 1955. The four of them moved to Newton, Mississippi where he enrolled at Clarke Junior College and then went on to Mississippi College in Clinton, MS. He eventually went to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana. Drawn by a deep sense of thanksgiving, Oscar Russell dedicated the remainder of his life to the service of God as an ordained minister. He served as senior pastor at many Baptist churches and chaplain for the Mississippi Good Sam’s Travel Club. He was also affiliated with the North American Mission Board. Oscar Russell also served the community by being an educator in many different school systems. On August 15, 2012, Oscar Russell became a Legionnaire upon receiving the French Legion of Honour, France’s highest award, for his heroism in WWII on the beaches of Normandy, France. He also was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon for his meritorious services in combat against the Japanese aircraft and suicide boats during the Okinawa Operation from April 18 to June 21, 1945. He was predeceased by his parents, John Russell and Vadie Russell; and brothers, Willie Smith and Earl Russell. Oscar Russell is survived by his wife, Helen J. Russell of Biloxi, Mississippi; two children, Vickie R. Beggs and her husband, Dixie of Marietta, Georgia, and David Russell and his wife, Kim of Gulfport, MS; four grandchildren, Emily Beggs (Marietta, GA), Jessica Russell (Gulfport, MS), Kristina Bradley and her husband, Philip Bradley, U.S. Coast Guard (Gulfport, MS), and Captain Rodney Brock, U.S. Army, and his wife, Jessica Brock (Sumter, S.C.); and four great-grandchildren, Alaina and Walter Bradley, and Mason and Olivia Brock. Visitation services will be Tuesday, May 12, 2015 from 5:00pm-8:00pm at the Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Howard Avenue in Biloxi, MS. Church services will take place on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 from 11:00am-12:00pm at First Baptist Church Biloxi on Popps Ferry Rd. Graveside services will take place promptly at 12:30pm at Biloxi National Cemetery. Flowers may be sent to: Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, 675 Howard Ave., Biloxi, MS 39530 or in lieu of flowers, Mrs. Russell asks that donations be made to The National Association of USS LCS (L) 1-130 for upkeep and in commemoration of Mr. Russell’s ship. Checks can be made payable to: Dennis Steenbergen (for: Oscar Russell) and sent to: Dennis Steenbergen at 7345 W. Lakeside Dr., Littleton, CO 80125. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com