Russell Vernon Meyne

Russell V. Meyne �Russ�, Irmo, passed away on February 2, 2012 at the age of 92 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born on June 25, 1919 in Grafton, Oh. He was preceded in death by his first wife, and mother of his children, Marion in 1984 and by his second wife, Marge in 1997. He is survived by 2 daughters, Marilyn (Richard) Maidlow, Lansing, MI and Sherry (James) Loveless, Cincinnati, Oh as well as 5 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Russ was a proud American Patriot. He was drafted into the Army in 1941 and was stationed in Pearl Harbor when it was attacked on Dec. 7. He then became a B17 pilot and flew 35 missions over Germany. He was awarded 2 Bronze Stars, Air Medal with 6 oak leaf clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross which was presented to him by the World War I flying ace, Eddie Rickenbacker. After the war, Russ worked as a claims adjuster for GMAC in Cleveland and was transferred in Irmo in 1972 where he retired. He was very active in the Pearl Harbor Survivors Assoc, as well as the Military History Club. He spoke at several grade schools and high schools about his war experiences. He was one of the subjects in ETV�s documentary �Vanishing Generation�. Russ kept in touch with his �crew� for the rest of their lives and they celebrated many reunions. If you were a friend of Russ�s, you were a friend for life. He will be missed by his family and his many good friends in South Carolina and around the country. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to Honor Flight of SC, PO Box 292421, Columbia 29229.