A family memorial of Russel's letters home describing his training and experiences as an American aviator in the U.S. Air Service during World War I. Russel, a Cornell graduate, enlisted in April, 1917, and after training in the U.S. sailed for England in October, 1917. After short duty as a ferry pilot he was attached to the 95th Aero Squadron, First Pursuit Group of the American Air Service and immediately went to the front on July 16, 1918, at Chateau Thierry. He was killed on August 11, 1918, and is buried in Courville, France ( ? ) From the History of the Air Service, 95th Aero Squadron "On August 11 the squadron had 11 more combats, as a result of which Lieut. William M. Russel was killed, and the pilots thought they burned a balloon, but never received official confirmation for it. It was in the combat that Lieut. Russel was killed, the patrol was followed by a formation of E.A. [Enemy Aircraft] and suddenly Lieut. Russel turned and fought this formation of E.A., with fatal results to himself." Near the crash site just south of Fismes, the citizens of Courville, France buried Lt. Russel in their village cemetery. After the war, when William's body was returned to the United States for burial, his family out of appreciation provided full-water service for Courville and built a memorial to their lost son in the town. Both the memorial and original grave site are maintained to this day. http://www.worldwar1.com/tgwscontr/johnwheat1.htm Grave in Courville and the Memorial given by the family
I came across this today ... thought it maybe of interest ! In letters written to home, 1st Lieutenant William Muir Russel described his mastering of the Renversement during his training days at the Center: Greatest excitement for Russel, as well as for most other pilots, was reserved for mastering the vertical Side-Slip maneuver, and perhaps understandably so - Commander Bingham described in his book this final requisite maneuver that aspiring pursuit pilots were to display a capability of performing - A Happy Warrior - Letters Of William Muir Russel, An American Aviator In The Great War, 1917-1918, by Henry Russel
