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Russell L. Pickett

by Halen Spainhower from Kansas City, MO, Missouri in United States

WWII Vet - 29th Infantry division, fought on D-Day

Many World War II veterans fear the world is forgetting and want young people to hear their stories one last time. Russell L. Pickett was only 19 years old when he was assigned to storm the beaches of Normandy. He was a private in the U.S Army and a part of the 29th Infantry division. Russell was one of the first landing crafts on the beach. He was issued with a flamethrower and ordered to clear out the German bunkers. Since Russell was armed with a flamethrower, he decided to sit down. While he was sitting down he heard a rumble outside of the landing craft. Before he knew it he was knocked out. When Russell awoke he was in shallow waters next to the beach. “I tried to get up, and my legs wouldn't work, I wasn't hurting anywhere, scared to death of course, which might have been what was wrong with me.” Later a nearby boat pulled him out of the water and to safety. After D-Day, he went back to a hospital in England, then back into the war for a second time and was injured at the battle of St. Lô. He would later be transported to a hospital and then sent out to battle for the third time, and would be injured at the battle of Veer. After that battle, he would be taken out of the war. Russell is a hero to me because he has fought for our country, and the amount of courage and bravery that he has shown in battle should speak for itself. The fact that he was injured and went back to fight the next day is just amazing. 

Page created on 12/6/2019 7:19:47 PM

Last edited 12/9/2019 9:55:06 AM

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