25 May 2007 Russell was awarded a Bronze Star medal for heroism. The actual medal was a Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device (First Oak Leaf Cluster.) The citation reads as follows: "For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force: Private First Class Cornish distinguished himself by heroic actions on 12 April 1968, while serving on an early warning outpost for Company A, 2d Battalion, 22d Infantry on a combat operation in Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam. As enemy troops began closing on his post, Private Cornish alerted the perimeter and readied himself for contact. At precisely the right moment he detonated a claymore mine and opened fire with his M-16 rifle. Thinking the listening post was part of the perimeter, the enemy began pounding it with mortar fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Private Cornish continued to expose himself as he inflicted casualties on the enemy, when suddenly he was mortally wounded by a hostile mortar round. Private Cornish's valorous actions throughout the seven hour ordeal contributed immeasurably to the success of the mission and the defeat of the enemy force. Private Cornish's personal bravery, aggressiveness, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army." A resident of New Jersey, Russell graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1965. He was very active in his fraternity. He received a "pledge of the year award." He was an economics major. He obtained a master's degree from the University of Michigan. From a fraternity brother and college classmate, Howard Prestwich 216 W. Stephenson St Freeport, Il 61032 E-mail address is not available.

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall A Company, 2/22nd Infantry, lost three men on 12 April 1968: PFC Warren M. Beaumont, Langhorne, PA PFC Russell H. Cornish, Maplewood, NJ (Bronze Star "V") PFC Gary R. Holland, Muskogee, OK

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