ADMIRAL JAMES S. RUSSELL - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 08/02/1985 - HFSID 303583

ADMIRAL JAMES S. RUSSELL
Typed letter to an Australian, relating his British ancestry
Typed Letter signed: "James S. Russell", 1 page, 7x9½. Tacoma, Washington, 1985 August 2. On personal letterhead to Henry Slapinski, New South Wales, Australia. In full: "I hope the enclosed photograph will serve your purpose. [Item not included.] It was taken when I was giving a talk at the 'dining out' dinner at a local naval unit, about a year ago. I have a family root in Australia. My maternal grandfather, a Scottish missionary serving in India, married Rhoda Foss of Sidney. Poor grandmother died in India when father was only 5 years old. Grandfather brought the two children back to Scotland where my father graduated from the University of Glasgow thence went on to the School of Fine Arts in Paris with a scholarship in architecture. He came to the USA in 1884 along with his Parisian roommates, who were American citizens. It is a pleasure to send a photograph and autograph. With best wishes". Naval aviator James S. Russell (b. 1922) was a highly decorated combat pilot in the Aleutians in the opening phases of World War II, winning the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Legion of Merit. Subsequently he alternated between important field commands - mostly helming aircraft carriers and carrier divisions - and key staff functions at the Atomic Energy Commission and as Vice Chief of Naval Operations. "Gentleman Jim," the longest serving US Naval officer, was Commander in Chief of NATO Forces in Southern Europe (1962-1965). Lightly creased. Otherwise, fine condition.