Russell Miles Ness was born September 25, 1924 to Andrew and Esther Ness. He grew up in Mahnomen County, Island Lake Township near Lengby and the White Earth Indian Reservation. He attended the Klinke country school, Bagley schools, and graduated from Fosston High School in 1942.

Russell enlisted in the US Navy on June 15, 1943 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and was sent to Farragut, Idaho for basic training. He underwent advanced military training in Norfolk, Virginia and was assigned to USS William T Powell (DE-213) on March 28, 1944 as Metalsmith Third Class (MSMc3). He prepared his ship for commissioning, sea trials, and remained assigned to her to the end of the war, serving in the North Atlantic, North Sea and the Mediterranean. He received an honorable discharge on December 9, 1945.

Russell’s military service included: US Navy WWII- 2 1/2 years; US Navy Reserve (inactive) – 10 years, and US Army National Guard – 28 years, totaling more than 40 years of service to his country. Russell retired at the rank of Sergeant Major (E-9) US Army on September 5, 1984, as Senior Federal Examiner, US Property and Fiscal Office,  Minnesota.

Russell was a lifetime member of the Presbyterian Church, American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars along with the Destroyer Escort Association, Disabled American Veterans, and 194th Tank Regiment. He passed away on February 20, 2021 at the age of 96 and is buried at the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery at Camp Ripley, Minnesota.

Plot: 12      Side: South      Row from Bottom: 5

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