William E. Russell, Jr. was born in 1917 in Maine. He resided in Penobscot County, Maine and was a member of the Maine National Guard prior to the war. His National Guard unit was called into full time active Army service on February 24, 1941, prior to the war, from Mullinocket, Maine. He was noted, at that time, as being Single, without dependents. William served as a Captain and Company Commander, Infantry, U.S. Army during World War II. He was Killed in Action on November 21, 1944 during the Battle of Hurtgen Forest in Germany and is now buried in Millinocket Cemetery, Millinocket, Penobscot County, Maine, USA.