Age 21. 121 East Siebenthaler Avenue, Dayton, OH. Born on 10/07/1921, in Ohio. Died of burns (death certificate). Ensign, U.S. Navy. Attended the Grove with Ensign John Paikos, U.S. Navy, age 21, of Haverhill, MA, also dead. Was stationed with Ensign Paikos at the U.S. Navy Submarine Base, New London, CT. Both were graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, where they had been roommates. "Russ [sic] migrated...from the midwest with a devilish twinkle in his eyes, a heart-warming smile, and a desire to someday wear Navy wings" ('43 Lucky Bag yearbook, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD). Also: "Torro's famous breeze sessions, his good humor, and his spontaneous laughter will be hard to forget." Graduate of Dayton Fairview High School, Dayton, OH, 1939. Was single. Recalled in a June 2003 interview by Grove rescuer Ensign Thomas Gray, U.S. Navy (Born 7/12/1919. Died 9/06/2006, age 87. Last residence Creston, NC), that the latter was assigned to escort the body of "a young naval officer" to Dayton, OH. Learned upon his arrival that the mother of the victim had abandoned both father and boy in youth. Stated that part of Navy protocol was to present a rolled U.S. flag to the mother of the deceased as the casket was lowered. Quote: "Well, I was indoctrinated at the funeral home...that the mother was the one at fault in this situation...so I gave it to the father" (www.cocoanutgrovefire.org). Added: "...That was not a good experience." Made posthumous news in March 1943: "After three months of investigation...the wrist watch of Ensign Carl Benson Russell was mailed today by Boston police to his mother...Firemen found the watch in the fire-swept Melody lounge of the night club..." (The Dayton Herald, Dayton, OH, 3/09/1943). Also: "Police investigation revealed the watch had been...a high school graduation gift for Russell." One of three Ohio Grove fire casualties (also patrons John Harry, U.S. Navy, age 22, and Miss Jacqueline Weiss, age 18; another victim, Hubert Fitch, age 26, was an Ohio native relocated by his employer to Worcester, MA, six months prior). Birth parents Mr. Roy C., same address, and Mrs. Eva M. (Frazee) Russell. Divorced mother had since remarried, surname Lee. Burial at Dayton Memorial Park, Dayton, OH. Middle name Benson.

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