LT PETER F. RUSSELL, USN
1940 - 1969

Naval Aviator #V-20873, received his wings on 10 December 1963. He was an outstanding aviator and naval officer for the short seven years of his naval career. His outstanding career was cut short when he was killed in action on 23 May 1969 while providing air cover to a riverine patrol in his OV-10 Bronco. Pete was attached to VAL-4 flying out of Binh Thuy at the time. He was the first aviator lost by VAL-4 during their almost three year deployment.