FRANKLIN CO, AR - WILLIAM L. RUSSELL, "King of the Purple Hearts" - Bio

Name: Bill Russell 
Email Address: Lynnandbill@worldnet.att.net

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WILLIAM L. RUSSELL, "King of the Purple Hearts"

William L. Russell of Franklin county, Arkansas "King of the Purple Hearts"
and twice elected Sheriff of Franklin county was born July 26, 1914 near
Cecil, Arkansas. His great grandfather-William James Park Russell- came to west
Arkansas from Georgia in 1866. His grandfather was Dr. W.S. Russell of Little
Rock and his father was James W. Russell of Franklin county. William L.
Russell attended High School in Charleston, Arkansas and earned a football
scholarship to Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway where he was a 4 year
letterman and Captain of the 1940 team. In 1937 he joined Company G/153rd
Infantry Arkansas National Guard where he served as a Platoon Sergeant. In
1941 the unit was mobilized and ordered to Alaska for World War II where he
earned a direct Commission while fighting the Japanese attempts to secure the
Aleutian chain. Following 18 months of service where he was wounded he was
ordered to Ft. Benning, Georgia for Advanced Infantry Officer Training and
while at Ft. Benning married Gladys O. English. In July 1944 he was ordered to
Europe as part of the follow on invasion to D-Day.Serving as Company Commander
of Company I, 330th Infantry, 83rd Infantry Division he was wounded 7 times,
earned the Silver Star for heroisim and was nominated for the Congressional
Medal of Honor.He was the most decorated soldier of the 83rd Division and was
known as the King of the Purple Hearts. Returning to Arkansas at the close of
WWII Russell ran for Sheriff of Franklin county and was elected in 1946 and
1948. While serving as Sheriff he helped to organize the 937th Field Artillery
Battalion, Arkansas national Guard at Ozark and was its first Commanding
Officer. In 1950 the Unit was mobilized for the Korean conflict and Captain
Russell led the unit into combat. Following the Korean War, he remained on
active duty serving in Germany, and Greece as well as numerous Stateside
Installations before retiring in 1965 as a Colonel and moving to Fayetteville,
Arkansas. His total of 8 Purple Hearts for combat wounds as well as his
additional military decorations rank him as one of the most decorated military
sons of Arkansas. 
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