Russell E. Lundin

Russell E. Lundin entered the Army Air Force on October 26, 1942, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Home at entry: Duluth, Minnesota.

He served as a Corporal and heavy equipment operator with 2274 Quarter Master Truck Company (Aviation) in Hawaii. Attended basic training in Florida and lived in a big hotel that had been taken over by the Army. One duty was patrolling and watching Miami beach for submarines armed with a flashlight and night stick. Stationed at Lakeland Airbase and Avon Park bombing range.

Transferred to Seattle-Portland area for a secret overseas departure. Shipped overseas on a Dutch ship with a U.S. captain. Seven days out the boat developed engine trouble and had to embark at Pearl Harbor on December 24, 1942. Sent to Oahu, Hawaii, where Italian prisoners of war were interned, for re-assignment. Assigned to Wheeler Field Air Base through the rest of the war. Shipped back to the U.S. on a victory ship, which was later filled with animals and blown up in the Bikini Atoll atomic bomb test.

Mr. Lundin was awarded the following: Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and two overseas service bars.

Mr. Lundin was honorably discharged on February 9, 1946, at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin.

Source:  Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project,  page 360.

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