Michael T. Russo World War II 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 (11) 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 (2) images of Russo with Charles Dubinski. There is also one (1) 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 (8) small panels providing information, including Russo's name, his squadron, the USAAF wings, and each of his five (5) kills to earn Ace status. Five panels list the type of aircraft and date:

• FW 190, Sept. 27 1943
• Fiesler [sic] Storch 157 [sic], Oct. 24 1943
• Ju 52/3M, Dec. 3 1943
• BF-109, Dec. 30 1943
• BF-109, Dec. 30 1943

The aircraft are Focke-Wulf Fw 190, Junkers Ju52/3M (Three Engine), Messerschmitt Bf 109, and Fieseler Fi 156 Storch (Stork). The Fieseler is incorrectly listed as a 157 model, but the 157 was only produced in prototype, which failed. However, Fi 156s were in use during WWII, so it is likely that this is the model shot down by Russo. The last panel reads "1st Mustang Ace, Only A36 Ace."

Digitized Materials: Two oversized items have been not been digitized from this collection: the cartoon drawing by Costello and the panoramic group portrait. All other archival materials have been digitized.

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