Captain Russell was a member of Headquarters, 8th Fighter Bomber Wing. On 16 September 1950, he was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter from the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. While on a combat mission, his aircraft disappeared after making a bombing run.

Russell was awarded the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.