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Russell R. Dougherty, 2nd Lt., US Army Air Force, 307th Bomb Group

Born: August 7, 1918 - Edmond, Oklahoma, Died: April 19, 1943 - Guadalcanal, Killed In Action

Russell Dougherty was the first graduate of Edmond High School to die in combat during World War II. Shortly after the war ended, civic leaders in Edmond dedicated the city's new school in his name to honor all of the deceased who had fallen during that war. The school still bears his name and is a functioning elementary school. In 2009, a statue was placed outside the school that is a likeness of Lt. Dougherty in bombing gear.

Lt. Dougherty was a co-pilot on a B-24D. His crew was deployed to the Pacific in the fall of 1942. Early in their deployment they flew raids from Hawaii, earning the Distinguished Air Service Medal for a successful raid conducted on Christmas Day of that year. Later they were deployed to Henderson Field in Guadalcanal. They conducted raids against several Japanese held islands and were departing for such a raid against Bouganville when for undetermined reasons their plane crashed shortly after take-off. Every man on board was killed. Each received the Purple Heart posthumously.

Along with Dougherty, the others to perish were:

Captain Ralph Frank Andrews - Pilot, 2nd Lt. Lloyd Kenneth Manogue - Navigator, 2nd Lt. Robert Francis Wadlin - Bombardier, T/Sgt. Edward Hatt - Engineer, S/Sgt. Vernon Peter Hopkins - Asst. Engineer, S/Sgt. William Daniel Pietila - Radio Operator, Sgt. Raymond Reynolds Mosier - Tail Gunner, S/Sgt. Victor Robert Lehman - Asst. Radio Operator

Prior to the war, Dougherty grew up on a farm in rural Edmond, Oklahoma. He graduated from high school in 1935, having earned a letter in wrestling. From there he attended Central State College (Present Day University of Central Oklahoma.)

As a young man Dougherty exhibited both an interest in and an aptitude for mechanics. He obtained certification as a trained diesel mechanic and ultimately enlisted in the US Army Air Corp in 1941. Early in his service, he was a link trainer mechanic. Encouraged by an officer that he worked for he applied for and was accepted into flight school. He trained as a pilot first at Cimmaron Field in Oklahoma and then completed his training in Lubbock, Texas on August 8, 1942. On the same day, he married Winifred Hoffman.

From there he was assigned to the 307th Bomb Group. He assembled with the other members of his crew in Ephrata Washington. They dubbed their plane Skylark and were deployed to Hawaii in October of that year. Much of what is known about Dougherty's service from October until his death is gleaned from surviving records of the unit's movements and actions, citations and awards granted and letters from Dougherty to family members. So an incomplete account is all that we are left with.

Dougherty was survived by his wife, Winifred, both parents, three sisters and two of their husbands. Also, Russell C. Dougherty, Lt. Dougherty's only son, was born on June 28, 1943.

Russell Dougherty was interrred on Guadalcanal during the war and his remains were exhumed and transported to Oklahoma City for final burial. Russell Dougherty School was dedicated on October 21, 1947.