Sgt. Elmer Bernard Russell (36108384) was the tail gunner. He was born on 13 September 1917 in Ithaca, MI, son of farmer Elmer B. Russell (1882-1957) and Emma May (Burch) Russell (1892-1975) of Gratiot County, MI. He married Gladys Melissa Williams (1920-1985) on 14 August 1942 in Pierce, WA. They had three children. He worked as a service repairman for Sears.

It was said that Russell, while serving as a POW, scrounged for parts and made a small radio. He and other prisoners were then able to know what was happening in the war and learn about events back in the states.

For his service, Russell was awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Prisoner-of-War Medal for his service.

Russell died on 24 December 1980 in Longview, WA. He was 63 years old.

Crash of B-17 42-102490 MACR 12556