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In Memoriam

Russell Clair Bidwell - Class Of 1937 VIEW PROFILE

Russell Clair Bidwell, son of Clair N. (1895-1981) and Mary Roena (Barlow) (1897-1985) Bidwell, was born 2 April 1918, Michigan.  He graduated in 1937 from Okemos High School.  After graduation Russell was employed at Motor Wheel in Lansing.  He married Elaine Gertrude Newman 3 May 1941, Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan.  In the spring of 1943 Russell enlisted into the US Army.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Thursday 15 June 1944

BIDWELL - Sgt. Russell C. Bidwell, son of Clair Bidwell of Okemos, has completed his phase of combat training at the Mountain Home army air field prior to his overseas assignment.  Sergeant Russell, a nose turret gunner of the Liberator bomber, was graduated from Okemos high school and prior to his enlistment, March 27, 1943, was employed by the Motor Wheel corporation.  He attended the army air force training schools at Lowry field, Colo., and Harlingen field, Tex.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Sunday 1 April 1945 (Note: the report gives two different spelling for a Pacific headquarters or Liberator base, "Palais" and "Palaus".  The writer may be actually designating the island of Palau in the Western Pacific which was liberated in 1944 in the costly Battle of Peleliu. The island airfield was used by Liberators.)

LADY LUCK RIDES PLANE

OKEMOS MAN BRINGS SHIP HOME SAFELY AFTER RAID IN PHILIPPINES

Sgt. Russell Bidwell, of Okemos, a nose gunner, and other crew members of a Seventh AAF Liberator bomber, had Lady Luck with them on a recent bombing strike against Jap targets in the Philippines, according to an official release from the headquarters in the Palais.

Sergeant Bidwell was returning from his 21 combat flight against the enemy, when a leak in the fuel lines flooded the bomb bay with highly explosive gasoline, the fumes penetrating all sections of the bomber.

A stray spark from the engine or from the brakes, when they were applied, would have completely destroyed the plane.  But, luckily, nothing happened, and the Liberator returned safely to its base in the Palaus.

During another mission over Clark field, a swarm of Zeros attacked Sergeant Bidwell's formation, and one of the gunners was given partial credit for downing one of the interceptors.

His bomber has received a number of shrapnel hits from enemy anti-aircraft fire, but has never been seriously damaged.

Sergeant Bidwell's parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. N. Bidwell, live at Okemos.  His wife, Elaine, and one child live at Haslett.  He was graduated from Okemos high school in 1937 and entered the army in March, 1943.

 

Russell died 14 January 1970, Pinellas County, Florida.  Elaine, born 3 May 1941, Lansing, died 20 April 1990, Hillsborough County, Florida.  Russell and Elaine were interred Garden of Memories Cemetery, Tampa, Hillsborough County.

The Tampa Tribune (Tampa, Florida) Thursday 15 January 1970

BIDWELL, RUSSELL C. - Funeral services for Mr. Russell C. Bidwell, age 51, 4715 Estrella Ave. will be held at 3:00 o'clock Friday afternoon at Curry's Funeral Home, 605 S. MacDill ave.  The Reverend W. Harold Miller, Pastor of the Manhattan Ave. United Methodist Church will officiate.  Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery where Masonic funeral services will be conducted by Memorial Lodge No. 20 F&AM.  Mr. Bidwell had been a resident of Tampa for 20 years and was a member of the Manhattan Ave. Methodist Church.  He was the former owner of Harry's Drive-in on Gandy and was a charter member of the Egypt Temple Motor Patrol.  He was a member of Okemos Lodge No. 252 F&AM, Okemos, Michigan, Tampa Consistory A.A.S.R/., Temple Zendah Grotto and Egypt Temple Shrine.



Click here to see Russell Clair's last Profile entry.