Rank: Staff Sergeant
Unit: Headquarters & Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 64C – Motor Transport Operator
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Unit awards: Meritorious Unit Citation, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Enlisted by: Regular
Date of birth: 22-Jun-1944
Hometown: Pembroke, Georgia
Marital status: Married to Marie Russell
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: 29-May-1962
Start of tour: 25-Sep-1969
Incident date: 24-Nov-1969
Date of casualty: 24-Nov-1969
Age at death: 25
Cause of death: Non-hostile, died of other causes. Accident. Vehicle loss or crash. Vehicle Crash (MC).
Charles M. Russell III was a passenger on an Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle (ACAV) burning grass with JP-4 fuel. Fuel detonated prematurely when wind shifted. In an attempt to avoid flames the from fire Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle moved causing individual to fall from vehicle into flames and vehicle ran over him.
Location of fatality: Binh Long, South Vietnam, XU 732 078
Place of interment: Northumberland Cemetery, Northumberland, New Hampshire, USA
View this soldier‘s Find a Grave page (opens in a new window)