Robert Paul Russell (Bob) of Dunedin, Michigan, is among the last remaining WW2 Hell Hawks. The Hell Hawks are legendary and a subject of folk lore. They were the U.S. Army Air Corps’ 365th Fighter Group. Bob never spoke much about his service until he was into his eighties, and then it was interesting matter-of-fact. He wouldn’t say he is a glamorous hero. Neither would he say he is for war.

In 2022-23, a look-around suggested there were only a handful of these valiant fighters still with us. These are the men who flew the P-47 Thunderbolts, using make-shift landing strips that enabled them to travel along and give cover to the front-line infantry, as Bob tells it for his unit. This was Army Air Corp action, before there was an air force.

Veteran’s Day in Dunedin, 2025

Dunedin, adjacent to Clearwater and near Tampa, does a nice job of honoring its Veterans. What a picturesque town Dunedin is; it’s not so much the area’s best kept secret anymore.

Many locals know Bob Russell, who built several houses and has lived here many years. Some of them know he is a WW2 Hell Hawk, a Purple Heart recipient, shot down near Berlin at the end of it.

The Honorable and Solemn Passing of WW2 Veterans

Remembrance – November 11, 2025

A boy had the privilege and responsibility of displaying a plaque commemorating Dunedin’s six WW2 veterans who had been present on Veteran’s Day the previous year, 2024.

Five of the six veterans on the plaque passed away this year. The boy was happy that Dunedin’s surviving WW2 veteran, 101-year-old Bob Russell, was present at this year’s celebration, and they got to meet.

The WW2 Hell Hawk Flies On

Bob’s world has gotten smaller, but he sometimes still makes it out into the sun, and he enjoyed yesterday’s Christmas dinner. Part of his family was on hand to toast him and thank him for the get-together at his home.