LineDoggie
04-08-2009, 10:52 AM
You dont see many like this Man anymore
http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/dunham_25368___article.html/honor_medal.html
Though Medal of Honor recipient Russell Dunham is gone, his memory and legacy are not lost among the countless individuals who knew and respected him.
"Dunham was a true American hero," said Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville. "His heroic action during World War II on Hill 616 was truly remarkable. Because of sacrifices made by heroes like Russell Dunham, we live in the greatest country in the world."
Parrish remembers Dunham as a humble individual, in that he never really talked about being a Medal of Honor recipient unless asked.
U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, issued a statement of regret over Dunham's death.
"He had a kind heart. He always reached out with a helping hand to someone in need," Yakstis said.
Dunham was a real patriot, but never felt like a hero - though his actions during World War II saved more than 100 people, Yakstis said.
Every year, he would ride in a convertible in Alton's Memorial Day Parade.
"The kids would just yell at him and he always waved back," Yakstis said. "For years at Upper Alton Cemetery, I used to stand by him during the ceremony at the end of the parade.
"When they honor veterans who died in the wars, he would put his hand over his heart, especially when they played 'Taps.' He'd get a tear in his eye. He is one of the great heroes of World War II."
DUNHAM, RUSSELL E.
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company I, 30th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Kayserberg, France, 8 January 1945. Entered service at: Brighton Ill. Born: 23 February 1920, East Carondelet, Ill. G.O. No.: 37, 11 May 1945.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. At about 1430 hours on 8 January 1945, during an attack on Hill 616, near Kayserberg, France, T/Sgt. Dunham single-handedly assaulted 3 enemy machineguns. Wearing a white robe made of a mattress cover, carrying 12 carbine magazines and with a dozen hand grenades snagged in his belt, suspenders, and buttonholes, T/Sgt. Dunham advanced in the attack up a snow-covered hill under fire from 2 machineguns and supporting riflemen.
His platoon 35 yards behind him, T/Sgt. Dunham crawled 75 yards under heavy direct fire toward the timbered emplacement shielding the left machinegun. As he jumped to his feet 10 yards from the gun and charged forward, machinegun fire tore through his camouflage robe and a rifle bullet seared a 10-inch gash across his back sending him spinning 15 yards down hill into the snow.
When the indomitable sergeant sprang to his feet to renew his 1-man assault, a German egg grenade landed beside him. He kicked it aside, and as it exploded 5 yards away, shot and killed the German machinegunner and assistant gunner. His carbine empty, he jumped into the emplacement and hauled out the third member of the gun crew by the collar. Although his back wound was causing him excruciating pain and blood was seeping through his white coat, T/Sgt. Dunham proceeded 50 yards through a storm of automatic and rifle fire to attack the second machinegun.
Twenty-five yards from the emplacement he hurled 2 grenades, destroying the gun and its crew; then fired down into the supporting foxholes with his carbine dispatching and dispersing the enemy riflemen. Although his coat was so thoroughly blood-soaked that he was a conspicuous target against the white landscape, T/Sgt. Dunham again advanced ahead of his platoon in an assault on enemy positions farther up the hill.
Coming under machinegun fire from 65 yards to his front, while rifle grenades exploded 10 yards from his position, he hit the ground and crawled forward. At 15 yards range, he jumped to his feet, staggered a few paces toward the timbered machinegun emplacement and killed the crew with hand grenades.
An enemy rifleman fired at pointblank range, but missed him. After killing the rifleman, T/Sgt. Dunham drove others from their foxholes with grenades and carbine fire. Killing 9 Germans–wounding 7 and capturing 2–firing about 175 rounds of carbine ammunition, and expending 11 grenades, T/Sgt. Dunham, despite a painful wound, spearheaded a spectacular and successful diversionary attack.
http://www.thetelegraph.com/articles/dunham_25363___article.html/russell_home.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_E._Dunham
http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/citations_living/ii_a_dunham.html
After all that he went to work for the VA to help other Vets
http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/dunham_25368___article.html/honor_medal.html
Though Medal of Honor recipient Russell Dunham is gone, his memory and legacy are not lost among the countless individuals who knew and respected him.
"Dunham was a true American hero," said Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville. "His heroic action during World War II on Hill 616 was truly remarkable. Because of sacrifices made by heroes like Russell Dunham, we live in the greatest country in the world."
Parrish remembers Dunham as a humble individual, in that he never really talked about being a Medal of Honor recipient unless asked.
U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, issued a statement of regret over Dunham's death.
"He had a kind heart. He always reached out with a helping hand to someone in need," Yakstis said.
Dunham was a real patriot, but never felt like a hero - though his actions during World War II saved more than 100 people, Yakstis said.
Every year, he would ride in a convertible in Alton's Memorial Day Parade.
"The kids would just yell at him and he always waved back," Yakstis said. "For years at Upper Alton Cemetery, I used to stand by him during the ceremony at the end of the parade.
"When they honor veterans who died in the wars, he would put his hand over his heart, especially when they played 'Taps.' He'd get a tear in his eye. He is one of the great heroes of World War II."
DUNHAM, RUSSELL E.
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company I, 30th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Kayserberg, France, 8 January 1945. Entered service at: Brighton Ill. Born: 23 February 1920, East Carondelet, Ill. G.O. No.: 37, 11 May 1945.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. At about 1430 hours on 8 January 1945, during an attack on Hill 616, near Kayserberg, France, T/Sgt. Dunham single-handedly assaulted 3 enemy machineguns. Wearing a white robe made of a mattress cover, carrying 12 carbine magazines and with a dozen hand grenades snagged in his belt, suspenders, and buttonholes, T/Sgt. Dunham advanced in the attack up a snow-covered hill under fire from 2 machineguns and supporting riflemen.
His platoon 35 yards behind him, T/Sgt. Dunham crawled 75 yards under heavy direct fire toward the timbered emplacement shielding the left machinegun. As he jumped to his feet 10 yards from the gun and charged forward, machinegun fire tore through his camouflage robe and a rifle bullet seared a 10-inch gash across his back sending him spinning 15 yards down hill into the snow.
When the indomitable sergeant sprang to his feet to renew his 1-man assault, a German egg grenade landed beside him. He kicked it aside, and as it exploded 5 yards away, shot and killed the German machinegunner and assistant gunner. His carbine empty, he jumped into the emplacement and hauled out the third member of the gun crew by the collar. Although his back wound was causing him excruciating pain and blood was seeping through his white coat, T/Sgt. Dunham proceeded 50 yards through a storm of automatic and rifle fire to attack the second machinegun.
Twenty-five yards from the emplacement he hurled 2 grenades, destroying the gun and its crew; then fired down into the supporting foxholes with his carbine dispatching and dispersing the enemy riflemen. Although his coat was so thoroughly blood-soaked that he was a conspicuous target against the white landscape, T/Sgt. Dunham again advanced ahead of his platoon in an assault on enemy positions farther up the hill.
Coming under machinegun fire from 65 yards to his front, while rifle grenades exploded 10 yards from his position, he hit the ground and crawled forward. At 15 yards range, he jumped to his feet, staggered a few paces toward the timbered machinegun emplacement and killed the crew with hand grenades.
An enemy rifleman fired at pointblank range, but missed him. After killing the rifleman, T/Sgt. Dunham drove others from their foxholes with grenades and carbine fire. Killing 9 Germans–wounding 7 and capturing 2–firing about 175 rounds of carbine ammunition, and expending 11 grenades, T/Sgt. Dunham, despite a painful wound, spearheaded a spectacular and successful diversionary attack.
http://www.thetelegraph.com/articles/dunham_25363___article.html/russell_home.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_E._Dunham
http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/citations_living/ii_a_dunham.html
After all that he went to work for the VA to help other Vets