U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael L. Russell was one of those killed in 2005 when the MH-47 helicopter he was aboard was shot down by enemy fire while attempting to rescue four Navy SEALS participating in Operation Red Wings.
His father, Lee Russell, is owner of the Olde Town Butcher in Fredericksburg.
With the release of the movie "Lone Survivor," the Free Lance-Star interviewed Lee Russell. The film tells the story of the SEAL team on the ground, who were ambushed after sparing the lives of civilians who later outed them to the Taliban.
Lee Russell told the paper that his son, Mike Russell, would have made the same decision to spare those civilian lives — a decision that eventually led to his helicopter being targeted during the rescue.
Mike Russell himself had once participated in an operation where a goat herder was spared his life. "Mike Russell told his dad that 'I was never more proud to be an American than I was at that moment,'” the Free Lance-Star reported. "He [Lee Russell] wanted others to know his son wouldn’t blame any of the SEALS for the decision that cost his life."
Read the entire story: As movie opens, local father shed's light on son's sacrifice
See "Lone Survivor" in Fredericksburg.
Other Fredericksburg Patch stories about Lee Russell:
- Olde Towne Butcher Says Lamb is the Easter Choice
- Olde Towne Butcher Opens Cooling Shelter for Downtown Visitors
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