THE WALL OF FACES

We remember your excellence in education, sports and humanity. Proud that you lived and learned part of your life in Cameron, Missouri. Never fogotten!

Dear Lt Russell Voris, Thank you for your service as a Tactical Aircraft Pilot, and for graduating from Air Force Academy. Your 78th birthday is soon, happy birthday. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Tomorrow, we celebrate Columbus Day. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Lt. Russel Earl Voris was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism and extraordinary achievement while engaged in aerial flight. He served as a Pilot of Tactical Aircraft and was assigned to the 604TH SPECIAL OPS SQDN, 3RD TAC FTR WING, 7TH Air Force.
See https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/,

Russ, we went through training together, shipped out to Vietnam together and became good friends and squadron mates. We often talked of you wanting to go to medical school after Vietnam.
The world needs more good people like you today. I'm honored to have known you, flown with you and you called me your friend. It was good that I got to meet your family but not in the way we would have wished.
I miss you.

Ode To The Commander
Russell Earl Voris

The Class of 1968 yearbook says Russ was from “Buffalo Chip” Missouri and his biggest adjustment at the Academy was having to wear shoes every day. He loved that homespun image and who can forget the visual he created of a cow and a flat rock for the sound of a heavy thunderstorm.

In order to talk about Russ and USAFA Lacrosse in the 60’s I will need to tell a little about the team and myself. For the most part we were high school football players who needed another outlet for our physical energy since we may have been a little smaller or a step slower than the NCAA Division I football players.

In my case I had done intramural football, boxing and lacrosse before Russ Murray asked me to join the Lacrosse Club. That’s when I met Russ. Since he was an attack guy and I was a defenseman, I can’t remember whether we met through a slap check, poke check or cross body block but I’m pretty sure I didn’t help him up.

We also met Combat Kelly and learned the joy of interval running – one whistle run, two whistles walk. I think ” Frenchie” Crotteau is still running somewhere because practice wasn’t over until nobody could run and we’d have to tell him to stop.

During the Junior year transfer Russ & I ended up in Friendly First Squadron where Gene Lupia handed out nicknames. I became the Elf and unfortunately we were sophomoric before Seinfeld and there are only a few words that rhyme with Voris or Dolores.

We roomed together during Lacrosse season our Junior and Senior years. We were the “Odd Couple” before Neil Simon penned his play.

Russ was a Bible Belt Baptist and went to church every Sunday – I had joined Usher Flight as a doolie so I didn’t have to march to church or run to breakfast.

Russ didn’t drink - I spent a few Sundays with the hangover flight in the back pews.

Russ was our Squadron Commander - I was our Athletic Officer.

Russ was an All-American - I drove the bus to breakfast when I wasn’t supposed to.

Russ was always nice – I was Mr. Vice.

Russ drove a GTO - I drove a Porsche.

Russ graduated #1 in his major with a 3.6 GPA – I was glad they had a curve that supported a 2.5.

God’s mysterious ways continued when we were assigned to the same pilot training class, 70B, at Randolph AFB, TX. Russ volunteered to room with me again. He kept our illegal breakfast skillet shiny clean since a day didn’t start without bacon and eggs.

Russ studied on Friday nights and I continued my search for the perfect Scotch Whiskey.

John Carson asked us to escort two young ladies to the Officers Club one night during pilot training. When they arrived it was obvious they were too young to be there but it was too late to send them home. When the party was over Russ offered to drive every one home but I insisted on going alone. My date’s boyfriend met us at the door with four of his friends. Russ was still up when I got home and took me to the Emergency Room for my stitches.

He stood up at my wedding.

Russ finished first or second in the pilot training class and took an A-37 to Vietnam.

My orbital floor fracture held me back a few months but I took an OV-10 to Vietnam.

When I got to the Phillipines we had a mandatory Intelligence briefing. As I scanned the information on the walls of the room I found a grease pencil board with Russell E. Voris at the top. I knew he had a Distinguished Flying Cross before I ever got to the war!! Then I saw the title – KIA.

I knew then as I know today that when Russ turned for that final shot he was still going for the upper right hand corner.

Russ wasn’t just my friend – He was my brother.