MILITARY SCHOOL

Russell traveled to St. Petersburg, Florida to train as a pilot for the military at the Florida Military Academy in September 1934, after he completed his local grammar school studies in Lancaster. As a Sophomore, Cadet First Sergeant Danison’s class elected him as Vice President in January 1936. That following year, on Friday, July 23, he attended a formal dance party that the Sigma Phi Gamma sorority hosted. While a senior, he finished his military training and excelled as the highest ranking captain before he graduated from the academy in 1938. He then returned to Ohio where he attended The Ohio State University, and there he registered for the World War II draft on Wednesday, October 16, 1940. During Russell’s time at OSU he became a member of the social fraternity, Beta Thea Pi. A little over one year later, he formerly enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. on Friday, November 7, 1941, at Fort Hayes in Columbus, Ohio. Russell became one of the 178 Ohio Army Aviation Cadet appointees granted scholarships and received his formal assignment.

MILITARY TRAINING

Danison arrived at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas, on Wednesday, November 12, 1941, as a member of the first class of cadets in the new Air Corps. Replacement Training Center. After Russell completed his primary pilot training at Cimarron Field in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the Aviation Cadet traveled to basic flying school at Goodfellow Field in San Angelo, Texas, where he completed his flight instruction. Once he completed his training, he graduated “to the cockpit of a speedy, 350 horsepower, BT-13A trainer.” It was behind these controls that he learned and mastered aerobatics, instruments, formation, cross country, and night flying. In addition to the skies, Russell also completed his training on the ground in radio code, weather, engine maintenance, and military law. Once these were mastered, he went on to advance and specialize in pursuit, bombardment, observation flying, and he earned the coveted wings and bars of a flying lieutenant in the US Army Air Corps. By late September of 1942, Danison completed his pilot training and left the States for his foreign assignment. He also received training at Barksdale Field, Louisiana; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Baer Field, Indiana.

MILITARY GRADUATION

Ranked among a total of 106 Ohio graduates, and spread over seven advanced flying schools, Russell completed his training and graduated at the Gulf Coast Air Force Training Center on the eve of Independence Day, July 3, 1942, while enrolled at The Ohio State University as a Junior. He went through a rigorous training regiment that included a 32-week flight schedule that encompassed 200 flight hours and 400 hours on the ground, to earn his wings, and he received advanced training in operation of twin-motor bombers. Along with completion of his training he received the commission of Second Lieutenant at Ellington Field in Texas. Danison’s parents were unable to attend, however Russell later visited them back in Lancaster after he was granted furlough. His parents received miniature wings and a scroll naming them as honorary members with the celebration of Russell’s training completion. During his furlough his father welcomed him as a guest at the Kiwanis Club where a special entertainment event brought musicians from the Boys Industrial School on Wednesday, July 8, 1942. Gene and Helen left Lancaster on Monday, August 17, 1942, to visit Russell, who was stationed at Harding Field in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.