Russell J. PURNER (1914-1951)

 

Name:

PURNER, Russell J.

Nationality:

American

Regiment/Service:

Royal Canadian Air Force/ U.S. Army Air Force

Rank:

Sergeant/ Captain

Service No.:

R109824/ O-791629

Date of Birth:

December 22, 1914 - Mulbery, Clinton, IN

Date of Death:

November 10, 1951 - Houston, Harris, TX

Place of Burial:

November 19, 1951 @ Forest Park Cemetery (Lawndale Ave.) - Houston, TX

Name of Father:

PURNER, Sherman Walter (Aug 11, 1883-June 30, 1927)

Name of Mother:

BONHAM, Bessie Mabel (May 23, 1888-Apr 23, 1953) (m2 STEMEN, James F.)

Name of Wife:

TRUESDELL, Collette Emma (Apr 27, 1927-2006) (m. June 15, 1941)
 

    Russell enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force 15 July 1941 and began his training towards becoming a navigator. On 19 March 1942, while stationed at No.4 Bombing and Gunnery School in Fingal, he  wrote a letter to the The Adjutant General's Office in Washington, DC asking to be transferred to the United States Air Force. A reply to his letter, dated 24 March 1942, informed him that "In order to secure transfer from the Canadian Forces to the United States Forces it will be necessary for you to be discharged from the Canadian Forces."  Russell submitted his request and continued on with his studies. He graduated from Course No.39 at No.4 B&G School 5 April 1942 and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was then transferred to No.2 Air Navigation School at Pennfield Ridge where he was to receive special training in astronavigation. Nearing completion of his course, just short of graduating, he was discharged from the R.C.A.F. The "Nominal Roll No.39 Air Observers Course" at Pennfield Ridge list him as "Returned to U.S. Forces."  

    Upon his return he enlisted for active service with the Air Corps, a subordinate element of United States Army Air Force, on 6 May 1942 in St. Louis, Missouri where his mother was living. His enlistment papers show he was given the rank of Staff Sergeant, had two years of college, occupation was listed as a Railway Signal Operator and shown to be married. While receiving training at Turner Field in Albany, Georgia "Aviation Cadet Russell J. Purner"  was appointed and commissioned to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. 

    While is the US Air Force Russell was a  navigator flying in B-24 aircraft assigned to a group under General Chenault flying the humps. His aircraft went down on the only mission he did not go on. Upon his discharged 21 May 1945 he held the rank of Captain.

   After the war Russell went to work for First American Life Insurance Company in Houston, TX. His life was tragically cut short at 11:30 pm. on the 10th of November 1951 due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was survived by his wife Collette and two sons.

SOURCES: 1) Nominal Roll No.39 Air Observers Course - Pennfield Ridge, NB
2) J. Purner, son.

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