Buffalonian Walter Bruce Russell enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1935, shortly after graduating from Kenmore High School. Over the next seven years he served at various posts across the United States, in Panama, and in the Virgin Islands. As a member of the American Embassy guard detachment in London, England, he experienced the horrors of the blitz firsthand. And in the winter of 1941, as his country was reeling from the attack on Pearl Harbor, he kept a close eye on developments on the other side of the globe.
For Christmas 1941, Sergeant Russell received a package of cigarettes sponsored by the Buffalo Evening News. His letter of thanks ran in the paper on 9 Jaunary 1942, with the following introduction:
Soldiers’ Smokes Brighten Lives Of Marines In London
Western New Yorkers Delighted That Folks Back Home Remembered Them
No Nazi bombs or incendiaries caused the smoke that might have been seen in the vicinity of the American Embassy in London recently. No, sir! That was just the fragrant fumes from cigarettes enjoyed by United States Marine, and the cigarettes were the gift of the Buffalo Evening News Smokes-for-Soldiers Fund.
Acknowledgement of receipt of the News’ smokes was received today from Sergt. Walter B. Russell of Buffalo, member of the Marine detachment at the American Embassy in London. The cigarettes safely reached Sergt. Russell and other Western New York Marines after dodging German submarines in the Atlantic.
Dear Buffalo,
Imagine my surprise this afternoon to receive some cigarettes from my home town. It made me feel rather funny to see that old red “Buffalo Evening News” sticker on the outside of the package. More or less as if Buffalo were saying to her boys, “We haven’t forgotten you a bit.” You know it is a long way from Buffalo to London. However, after being in the Marine Corps for seven years, we are ready to go anywhere, anytime.
Incidentally, there are some more men in this detachment who received cigarettes and are from cities and towns near Buffalo – PFC Phillip S. Davis, who sends his best regards to Springville, NY; PFC Warren M. Anderson sends best wishes to Jamestown, NY, and PFC Robert P. Ryan says hello to Binghamton. And last but not least, my regards to Buffalo and Kenmore, and especially to my mother who lives at 51 Ferguson Place, Buffalo.
Can’t say much about the war, due to the censoring of letters, but I will say this – we Marines and naval people in London are doing our best to do our share and the only thing that worries us is the fact that we can’t be in the Orient where things are hottest now so that we can get a crack at those sons of the Land of the Setting Sun. However – who knows – war causes some unexpected things and we might get a crack at them yet.
I’d like to say much more but doubt whether it would get by the censors or not, so instead I’ll just say Happy New Year to all my friends in Buffalo and Kenmore.
Keep hitting the ball, Buffalo.
Sincerely yours,
Walter B. Russell
Sergt. U.S. Marine Corps
American Embassy, London, England
PS: I’ll be home after the war is over. Too busy now. W.B.R.
Walter Russell got more than a few chances to “get a crack” at the Japanese. He returned to the United States later in 1942 and joined Company A, First Battalion, 24th Marines as a platoon sergeant in early 1943. Russell served as the company’s gunnery sergeant in combat on Roi-Namur, Saipan, and Tinian; he was awarded a field commission in late 1944, and took over command of the company’s mortar section in time for the battle of Iwo Jima.
Towards the end of the war, Russell also served with Charlie and Headquarters Companies. He earned the Purple Heart for wounds received in action at Saipan.
Master Sergeant Russell left the Corps in 1947 after twelve years on active duty, and maintained the rank of first lieutenant in the inactive reserve. He died in Buffalo in 1993.