IN MEMORIAM: Colonel Gerald Russell, GWSB MBA’62
Colonel Gerald Russell, George Washington University School of Business McDonough MBA’62, devoted his life to his family, his country and to his passion for sports.
Aside from his MBA from GWSB, the track and field were lifelong passions for the Colonel— he was the first alternate for the 1940 US Olympic Team in the 800 meters. Russell later served as Military representative to the 1968 US Olympic team and on the US Olympic site selection committee. He was the United States representative to the Conseil International du Sports Militaire in 1967. The Colonel was instrumental in starting and eventually coaching the United States Marine Corps (USMC) track team.
After completing his undergrad in history from Boston College, the Colonel enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was commissioned 2nd Lt. as a member of the first Officer Candidate Course offered by the USMC.
As Battalion Commander, the Colonel was responsible for leading 1,000 troops and was one of the youngest Battalion Commanders in World War II at age 27 at Guadalcanal and age 29 on Iwo Jima. He was wounded on Iwo Jima and witnessed the historical raising of the American flag on Mount Suribachi.
Russell retired from the Marine Corps in 1968 during the Vietnam War. In addition to being promoted to the rank of Colonel, he was one of the highest decorated Marines in World War II— Colonel Russell was awarded the Republic of Korea Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star with ”V” for Valor, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart Medal with two gold stars, U.S. Presidential Citation with four stars, Korean Presidential Unit Citation with three stars, Navy Meritorious Unit Citation, the Defense Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal with three stars, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Medal, World War II Japan Occupation Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, among others.
At the time of his death, he was one of only two surviving Battalion Commanders from Iwo Jima.
