"They told us we didn't have to fight. They were going to drop us where the fighting was and let us make up our mind." (Video Interview, 52:59)

Philip A. Russell

Philip Russell, 2001 War: World War, 1939-1945 Branch: Army Unit: 1st Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division Service Location: Normandy, France; European Theater Rank: Sergeant Place of Birth: NY

An original member of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, made famous by the Stephen Ambrose book and Steven Spielberg-produced TV series Band of Brothers, Philip Russell participated in some of the most momentous events of World War II. He parachuted into Normandy on the night prior to the invasion of June 6, fought through Holland in Operation Market Garden, and experienced the intense cold and uncertain future of the war during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. Throughout it all, Russell was motivated to keep fighting by the intense camaraderie of the 506th and the sense of mission that emboldened all those that fought the war against Germany.