I have made several posts regarding getting information on a
Paul Jenning Russell who I was told flew B-24's.  Due to the dogged determination of a man who read one of my posts, he found a memorialization on the WWII Memorial in DC: Paul J Russell, 100th Bomb Group, by his sister Carroll Gates.   But I do not find his name on the website roster of the 100th. I know that he was a pilot (from his son). Can any of you who know the 100th better shed any light on this man? 

Lorinda Drake Crow
drakecrow@aol.com

Lorinda,
 
I hope you find more information!  The 100th B.G. only flew B-17's and if you are certain he flew B-24's he could not have been in the Bloody Hundredth!  If him flying 24's is incorrect, you should seek information through the 100th B.G. website which is excellent.  Mike Faley is the 100th historian and has a very thorough knowledge of the group. 
 
Good luck in your endeavor!
 
Mike

. . ." The most valuable aspect of studying and collecting AAF memorabilia is the memory of the veterans who wore it."

Lorinda,
 
Mike is correct with his suggestion;just click on the Contact link at the top for the 100th contact form or send a PM to Mike Faley on this forum.
 
A couple of things in the interim. I checked the National Archives database and found one record that looks like the gentleman your looking for info on.
 
RUSSELL,PAUL J
ARMY SERIAL NUMBER 39164814  (initial enlistment #)
DATE OF ENLISTMENT 10/10/1941
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT, FT McARTHUR,SAN PEDRO,CA
BRANCH OF SERVICE,  AIR CORPS
BORN 1919
4 YEARS HIGH SCHOOL
CIVILIAN OCCUP; TIRE REBUILDER OR DIVERS HELPER,MARINE
DIVORCED,NO DEPENDENTS
 
I read the posting on the WWII Memorial. The airman was listed as being from Whitter,CA...San Pedro is only 32 miles away.
 
I could find nothing in a short search for any Paul Jenning Russell listed in the 100th BG,in the event he was a member of the ground operations.
 
Good Luck and contact Mike Faley.
 
 
Jack 
 
   

GREMLIN2
1st Lt. W. Griswold "Gris" Smith crew
March 14,1945-December 8,1945
100th Bomb Group (H),349th BS,Thorpe Abbotts,UK
http://www.100thbg.com/mainpages/crews/crews3/smith.htm

Thanks for your post. I'm aware that the 100th flew B-17's, but with the little information we now have, we feel that he may have originally flew B-17's and then transferred to another group.  We have only just found out that the sister posted the memorium at the WWII Memorial.

Lorinda -
Another Possibility:
There were 4 Bomb Groups That Began Combat in B - 24s and
transitioned to B - 17s .
34th BG
486th BG
487th BG
493d BG
Mike

The book "The Story of the Century" by John Nilsson has several lists of members of the 100th BG, including members who were KIA, Missing, POW, "No Category", and Men Who Completed Operations.  Paul Russell is not included in any of the lists in this book.
 
Marty

Hello Lorind

look here a entry for a man who called Russel, J.

http://www.100thbg.com/mainpages/crews/crews6/baker_ck.htm


best regards Hartmut

Paul J. Russell is not a member of the 100th Bomb Group according to our data base and records. I also checked the unit histories and found nothing in the 34th, 490th, 487th (493rd and 486th do not have detailed unit Histories) with regard to P.J. Russell.  I am wondering if he flew B-24's with the Second Air Divison?  Sorry we could not be of more help. 

Michael P. Faley
100th Bomb Group Historian
100th Bomb Group Photo Archives
13th Combat Wing Historian

Lorinda,
I found two references to a Paul J. Russell.  I can't confirm if they are the same man.
 
1)  2LT with the 449th BG 716th BS.  Completed 4 engine training before Nov 1943. 
2)  Serial #: O-680514   Graduated pilot school PM 43E.
 
Hope that helps.
 
Dave

Link to: Bombardiers of WWII Website

New email address as of Feb 2006: hfhmsite@comcast.net

Lorinda - the 449th BG was a B - 24 Group
Good Job Dave.
Mike

Lorinda,
 
There is a series of books on the 449th BG.  Books I and II were printed together, and are titled "Tucson to Grottaglie" and "And This is Our Story".  In this book it lists a 2nd Lt. Paul J. Russell on Crew 6-1 Flight A.  It looks like he was the co-pilot on the Harold A. Oien crew, and they were an original crew in the 716th BS.  The entire crew list is as follows:
 
2nd Lt. Harold A. Oien
2nd Lt. Paul J. Russell
2nd Lt. Justin D. McAnally
2nd Lt. Charles F. Popken, Jr.
S/Sgt. Arthur H. Joan
T/Sgt. Vincent F. Mahoney
S/Sgt. Loren E. Bunger
Sgt. Raymond E. Carpenter
S/Sgt. Paul R. Bumgardner
S/Sgt. Clyde C. Chafin
 
In book IV, titled "Maximum Effort" on page 124 is some information about Hal Oien and his crew, including some photos but only some of the crew members are mentioned and shown.  It does say the entire crew completed their 50-mission tour, and the plane thet flew to Italy was named "Stinky the B.T.O."
 
There is also another book called "The  Planes of the 449th Bomb Group in World War II".  There is a photo of "Stinky the B.T.O." in the book, and it says the plane was shot down with another crew on board.  The serial number for the plane is listed as 42-64462.
 
Marty