Russell Sheppard Killed in Action
Cedar Rapids relatives Monday were informed of the death in action of Pfc. Russell E. Sheppard, 25, an Eighth Air Force crewman, who had been stationed in England. He was the son of E. P. Sheppard of Manchester and the brother of Floyd and F. D. Sheppard of Cedar Rapids. There were no details concerning his death.
Before entering service three years ago, Pfc. Sheppard was employed by the Old Mill Ice Cream company in Cedar Rapids. His wife, Lillian, whom he married shortly before going overseas in the spring of 1943, lives with her parents at Crete, Neb. Another brother, Howard Sheppard, lives at Waterloo.
Sheppard was the center of a dramatic story, March 5, 1940, when highway patrolmen, working in relays, rushed a special serum to Cedar Rapids from Des Moines that saved his life. Septicemia of the blood stream set in after his hand was caught between a truck door and a brick wall four days previously. He was a Manchester high school graduate.
Source: Unknown newspaper clipping, likely from Cedar Rapids, Iowa (photo included)
Pfc. Sheppard Was Son of E.P. Sheppard of Manchester
Met Death In England
Pfc. Russell E. Sheppard was killed in England Sept. 28, 1944, according to word received Monday from the War Department. Last word received from the boy was a letter to his brother, Floyd, in Cedar Rapids, dated Sept. 21, one week previous to his death, in which he told of his unit, the 8th Air Force, being given the presidential citation for outstanding work in a bombing raid over Berlin shortly before the letter was written.
Russell was born on a farm May 2, 1920, in Delhi township, grew to manhood there and attended the Delhi high school and assisted his father with work on the farm. At the time of his enlistment in the armed forces, he was employed by the Old Mill Ice Cream company at Davenport. He enlisted in December, 1941, shortly after Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japs.
He received his training at Sheppard Field, Texas; Lowery Field, Colorado, and completed his training in a Sioux City camp as a ground crew man in the air service. He went to England in June, 1943.
He was married to Miss Lillian Ryn at Crete, Neb., March 22nd, 1943, and is survived by his young widow, who is with her parents at Crete, Neb.; his father and stepmother, Mr. and Mrs. E.P. Sheppard, Manchester; and three brothers, Frank and Floyd Sheppard of Cedar Rapids and Howard Sheppard, of Waterloo. He was preceded in death by his mother several years ago.
As a boy, while living near Delhi, he attended the Methodist Sunday school and had been a member of the church for several years. The death of this fine young man brings a profound sorrow to his widow and parents and brothers, who have the sincere sympathy of many friends.
—V—
Source: Unknown newspaper clipping, likely from Manchester, Iowa (photo included)
| Name | Russell E. Sheppard |
| Death Date | 28 Sep 1944 |
| Cemetery | Cambridge American Cemetery |
| Burial Plot | Plot D; Row 7, Grave 66 |
| Cem City | Cambridge, England |
| Rank | Private First Class |
| Service | U.S. Army Air Forces |
| Division | 351st Bomber Squadron; 100th Bomber Group, Heavy |
Russell E. Sheppard was born May 2, 1920 to Edward P. and Bessie Alice Smith Sheppard. He died Sept. 28, 1944 and is buried in Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Coton, Cambridgeshire, England.
Pvt. Sheppard served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps 351st Bomber Squadron, 100th Bomber Group, Heavy and died while serving his country.
Source: ancestry.com - World War II Honor Roll
