EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a reprint of an article from The Brighton Citizen in 1945. It was submitted by the Russell family.

Six Blue Stars, One Gold, in Windows of Russell Home; One Son on Leave

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Russell, who have six blue stars and one gold star in their window at 24 Saybrook Street, Brighton, welcomed home one of their fighting sons this week who has not been home for two years. He is Thomas, shipfitter 2-c, USN, who has seen plenty of action in the Pacific and took an active part in operations at Guadalcanal, the Gilbert Islands and Leyte (Philippines).

In order of their age, the “Fighting Russells,” are Richard, QM 2-c, 31, USNR; Corporal John, 29, USA; James, 28, who has just been inducted into the Seabees, S-Sgt. William, who was killed in action November 5 in France; Thomas, 24, now home on leave, PFC. Robert, 20, with the AAF in Italy, and Edward, Ship’s cook, 3-c, 19, now in New Guinea.

Francis, 17, is a student at Brighton High School, and Mary, the only girl in the family, is employed at the Western Union Company.

Richard, whose wife and baby are now living at the Saybrook address, was in the first PT boat in the invasion of Leyte. A member of the seventh fleet, he is credited with helping to spot and sink two Jap(anese) torpedo boats. He is a machine gunner, and said, “It was a running fight at full speed, and for 20 minutes, we slugged each other in the dark. Suddenly, the Jap(anese) PT loomed up on our starboard bow. They opened with all guns, the Jap(anese) PT burst into flames, and lay dead on the water.”

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Despite being scattered all over the world, some of the Russell brothers have met each other overseas. Richard and John met for five days at Leyte when John was given special leave to cross the mountains to see his brother. Richard and Edward also met in New Guinea for five days while Richard was awaiting his PT boat. Edward was granted leave and spent 10 days with his aunts and cousins, whom he had never seen, in Australia. Robert and William missed each other by a day in Europe, the former has visited the Pope and received his blessing.

The father of this large service family also does his part by working at the Navy Yard.

Also doing his part for the war effort is “Pax,” the family Great Dane, who entered training two years ago, and received his “basic training” in Virginia.

The Bulletin reprinted this article in honor of Veterans Day, coming on the 11th next week.