Contents of the Collection
The Michael T. Russo World War II Collection contains photographs, textual materials, and ephemera related to the World War II experience of American fighter ace Captain Michael T. Russo.
The collection contains identification cards, including pilot certifications and a physical record card, as well as eleven photographs. Most of the photographs were taken in the United States in 1943, while Russo was completing his Army Air Forces training. There are several portraits of Russo in uniform, as well as two images of Russo with Charles Dubinski. There is also one panoramic group portrait of Squadron P Flight A in Class 43-B at Randolph Field (Texas), with an inscription "X Russo" on the reverse, likely denoting where Russo is in the portrait (middle row, third from the left).
Additional materials include a graduation announcement for Class 43-B from the Moore Field (Texas) Advanced Flying School, a History of the 27th Bombardment Group in MTO and ETO booklet, and a post-war letter from Mikiel Brower thanking Russo for appearing on his radio program "Jobs for G.I.s." There is also a cartoon drawing of Russo, signed by Sgt. Vincent Costello, that highlights Russo's military experiences.
At the end of the collection is a plaque display mounted on mat board. There are eight small panels providing information, including Russo's name, his squadron, the USAAF wings, and each of his five kills to earn Ace status. Five panels list the type of aircraft and date:
Dates
- Creation: 1943-1945
Creator
- Russo, Michael Thomas (Person)
Language of Materials
All materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research and is accessible in the Dahlberg Research Center by appointment. For more information contact us.
Conditions Governing Use
The Museum of Flight (TMOF) Archives is the owner of the physical materials in the archives and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from TMOF archives before any publication use. TMOF does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners. Consult repository for more details.
Biographical Note: Michael T. Russo
Michael T. Russo was born September 4, 1920 in Cleveland, Ohio. Russo was an engineering student at Ohio State University in 1941 when Pearl Harbor was attacked, and he left school to join the U.S. Army Air Corps. He completed basic training at Pine Bluff, Arkansas and had advanced training at Randolph Field (Texas). He received his wings at Moore Field (Texas) and was sent to Meridian, Mississippi to train with the new North American A-36 Apache (the predecessor to the North American P-51 Mustang).
Russo was assigned to the 16th Bomb Squadron, which later became the 522nd Fighter Bomber Squadron (27th Bomb Group [Light], Twelfth Air Force). Russo and his fellow flyers were sent to North Africa, where they fought in the Mediterranean Theatre and helped the Allies push into Italy. By the end of 1943, Russo had 5 kills and was recognized as the first P-51 Mustang Ace and was the only pilot to achieve Ace status while flying a North American A-36 Apache during World War II.
Russo was sent home after his tour to participate in several War Bond drives, and he was promoted to Captain in 1944. He left the service just before the end of the war with a remarkable 169 points. His decorations included the Silver Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Air Medal with fourteen Oak Leaf Clusters.
Russo moved to Bloomfield Hills, Michigan in 1958 and also had a home in Port St. Lucie, Florida. In 1960 Russo founded MR Products, Inc. The company continues to operate and is best known for its "Mr. Chain" line of plastics chains, poles, and stanchions. Russo married Mary DiVincenzo in 1947 and they had two daughters, Michele and Maree. Russo died in Port St. Lucie on May 12, 2006.
Source:
Biography derived from collection materials and donor information.
Extent
0.5 Cubic Feet (1 5-inch letter size document box, 1 oversize folder (16x20"))
Abstract
Michael T. Russo (1920-2006) was born in Cleveland, Ohio and joined the U. S. Army Air Corps in 1941 as a fighter pilot. Russo attained Ace status while fighting in the European and Mediterranean Theaters of Operation. The collection contains photographs, textual materials and ephemera related to the World War II experience of American Fighter Ace Michael T. Russo.
Immediate Source of Acquistion
The collection was donated by the family of Michael T. Russo.
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
Existence and Location of Copies
Materials from this collection have been digitized and are available at The Museum of Flight Digital Collections.
Separated Materials
The following items have been separated from the archival component and are kept in objects storage:
- Brown leather flight jacket
- Two (2) Silver Star
- Two (2) Distinguished Flying Cross
- European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal
- Air Medal
Subject
- United States. Army. European Theater of Operations (Organization)
- United States. Army Air Forces. Bombardment Group (L), 27th (Organization)
- United States. Army Air Forces (Organization)
- Dubinski, Charles (Person)
- United States. Army. Mediterranean Theater of Operations (Organization)
- Costello, Vincent (Person)
- Russo, Michael Thomas (Person)
- Moore Field (Tex.) (Organization)
Genre / Form
- cartoons (humorous images)
- correspondence
- identity cards
- military records
- panoramic photographs
- photographic prints
- printed ephemera
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the Michael T. Russo World War II Collection
- Status
- Completed Level 3
- Author
- L. Zaborowski, J. Parent
- Date
- 2015; 2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
- Edition statement
- 2nd Edition
Repository Details
Part of the The Museum of Flight Archives Repository
9404 East Marginal Way South
Seattle Washington 98108-4097
206-764-7874
curator@museumofflight.org