15 Facts About Russell Reeder

Russell Reeder wrote about his army upbringing in the book Born at Reveille.

Russell Reeder was awarded the Treasury Department Silver Lifesaving Medal for this achievement in August 1913.

Russell Reeder entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in June 1920 with an appointment from Alabama, played football and baseball as a cadet, and graduated as a member of the Class of 1926.

Russell Reeder's graduation was delayed by two leaves of absence: January to July 1921 and January to August 1924.

On June 11,1944, during the Battle of Normandy, Russell Reeder received a shrapnel wound in his ankle that almost severed his left leg.

Russell Reeder was taken back to England, then to the Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington and his leg was amputated.

Russell Reeder retired because of his disability in September 1945, but remained on active duty until October 1948.

In October 1945, Russell Reeder returned to West Point as regimental tactical officer of the 2nd Regiment, Corps of Cadets, serving until October 1947.

Russell Reeder then became an assistant athletic director at West Point.

Russell Reeder quit this job after 20 years in 1967 and pursued a career in nonfiction writing.

Russell Reeder's sister Nardi Russell Reeder Campion was an author and co-wrote Marty Maher's Bringing Up the Brass that was filmed as The Long Grey Line with Nardi co-writing the screenplay.

Red Russell Reeder had a cameo as the Commandant of Cadets in the film, distributing diplomas to the class of 1915.

In 1997, Russell Reeder was awarded the Distinguished Graduate Award by the Association of Graduates of the United States Military Academy.

Russell Reeder died of congestive heart failure at the Inova Mount Vernon Hospital in Hybla Valley, Virginia, on February 22,1998, at the age of 95.

Russell Reeder survived his wife and younger sister, and has four children, ten grandchildren, and twenty-two great-grandchildren.