11 Facts About Russell Willson

Vice Admiral Russell Willson was a flag officer of the United States Navy and inventor of the Navy Cipher Box issued in 1917.

Russell Willson commanded destroyers at Greenland in connection with the United States Army's around-the-world flight in 1924.

Russell Willson graduated from the Naval War College in 1924 and was a member of the US Naval Mission to Brazil from 1927 to 1930.

Russell Willson served as naval attache at the United States Embassy in London in 1937 and 1938.

Rear Admiral Russell Willson was the last commander of Battleship Division 1 in peacetime prior to the start of World War II.

On 1 February 1941, Russell Willson became the superintendent of the United States Naval Academy.

In September 1942, Russell Willson was detached for duty with the United States Pacific Fleet, but before he could report to his new assignment was found medically unfit for sea duty.

Russell Willson served from November 1942 as the naval member of the Joint Strategic Survey Committee for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Russell Willson was a principal at several of the wartime conferences between Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Winston Churchill.

Russell Willson was a member of the US delegation at the Dumbarton Oaks Conference and military advisor at the San Francisco Conference.

An Episcopalian, Russell Willson married Eunice Westcott Willson on 3 June 1911.