WASHINGTON — Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi commemorated World War II veteran Harold Russell, who died recently in Massachusetts.
“Through his films and his writing, Harold taught millions of Americans about the plight of disabled veterans,” Principi said. “Through his work with VA, he enabled us to better serve disabled veterans, especially those with prosthetics.”
Russell was born in Canada in 1914. After moving to the United States in 1933, he volunteered for the U.S. military during World War II. He lost both hands in a demolitions accident during training.
He portrayed a disabled veteran in the 1946 movie, “The Best Years of Our Lives.” He won two Academy Awards for the role – as best supporting actor and a second, special Oscar.
After the war, Russell wrote two books, served three tours as national commander of AMVETS and worked as a major advocate for disabled veterans. The top annual award of the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities is called The Harold Russell Medal.
Russell died Jan. 29.
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