David Earl Russell, LTC, US Army (Retired)

David Earl Russell, LTC, USA, Ret., of Annapolis, MD, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2009, at Anne Arundel Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family and friends. Col. Russell was born in Los Angeles, CA on August 31, 1940 and was the son of the late John J. Russell and Oneida Lee (Favinger) Russell of Redding, CT. LTC Russell was commissioned in 1964 as a Regular Army Second Lieutenant from Providence College where he was a Distinguished Military Graduate. LTC Russell’s long and distinguished career included assignments as an Armor Company Commander in Germany, Senior Advisor to a Vietnamese Ranger Battalion, the Commander of A Troop, 3/17th Air Cavalry (“Silver Spurs”), and Secretary of the General Staff, 1st Aviation Brigade, Republic of Vietnam. From 1973-1975, LTC Russell and his family were posted to the American Embassy in Vientiane, Laos where he was the Assistant Army Attaché, a diplomatic position. Following his return from Laos, LTC Russell served in a myriad of positions including: Commander, United States Army Special Research Detachment at the National Security Agency (NSA); Director, Department of Joint and Combined Operations, and Professor of Middle Eastern Studies – both at the US Army Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, KS. LTC Russell’s military honors included the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Combat “V” (22 awards), Bronze Star (4 awards), Meritorious Service Medal (4 awards), Master Army Aviator Wings, Parachute Badge, the Ranger Tab, and numerous other awards and decorations. After retiring from the Army in 1984, LTC Russell co-founded American Flight Group, Inc., in Annapolis, Maryland, an executive aircraft charter airline. He later became the company’s President and CEO as well as a chief pilot for the company, which operated through 2006. LTC Russell was qualified to fly aircraft ranging from attack helicopters to executive jets. During his 51-year military and civilian career, he logged over 20,000 flight hours. LTC Russell earned his B.A. in Political Science from Providence College, his M.A. in Political Science (Arab World Studies) from the University of Rhode Island, and his M.S., in Naval Arts and Sciences, from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI. He also attended the Defense Language Institute, Monterey, CA, where he studied Modern Standard Arabic and French. LTC Russell had a great love and passion for aviation, opera, classical music, Broadway show tunes, sailing, the City of Annapolis, the Naval Academy Midshipman to whom he opened his heart and home, and most importantly, for his four children and the many people who called “the Colonel” their friend. LTC Russell is survived by his daughter, Kimberlee Russell Fleming of Marathon, FL; his three sons, John D. Russell of St. Petersburg, FL, Colin F. Russell and Dennis C. Russell of Annapolis, MD; his sister, Jacqueline L. Russell of Redding CT; his aunt, Nancy Russell of Queens, NY; his sister-in-law, Marti Russell of Sterling Heights, MI; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Linwood Russell and his sisters, Deborah Russell and Teresa Russell Cavoretto. Friends will be received at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Cremation and Funeral Care, P.A., 814 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21401 on Thursday, January 15, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 North Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21401 on Friday, January 16, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. A graveside service, with full military honors, will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, on Monday, April 13, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. Those wishing to attend are asked to assemble at the Cemetery Administration Building by 10:30 a.m. for transportation to the grave site.

David Earl Russell, LTC, US Army (Retired)

August 31, 1940 - January 11, 2009