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Steven Loomis (SaigonShipyard), IC3
to remember
Egnor, Russell Darrell (Russ), JOCS USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Glen White, W.Va., and Detroit, MI.
Last Address A memorial service was held June 25 at the Post Chapel, Fort Myer, followed by interment at Arlington National Cemetery.
Date of Passing Jun 17, 1997
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
JOSC RUSSELL DARRELL EGNOR
USN AND USNR, KOREA AND VIET-NAM
Russell D. Egnor, 60, director of the Navy's news photo division, a Manassas resident and a retired Navy Reserve senior chief journalist, died of leukemia June 17 at Fairfax Hospital.
Mr. Egnor reported the story of Navy operations around the world in words and pictures for more than 43 years.
He was born in Glen White, W.Va., and grew up in Detroit. He enlisted in the Navy in 1954 at age 17. He served on active duty as a Navy journalist for 15 years.
While assigned to the news and news photo divisions at the Pentagon, he was on board the first world cruise by nuclear-powered surface ships - the USS Enterprise, USS Bainbridge and USS Long Beach - and prepared features and hometown articles for the historic naval operation.
In the late 1960s, Mr. Egnor received advanced training at the Syracuse University School of Journalism and served as a photojournalist with the Pacific Fleet Combat Camera Group. He spent six weeks in Seoul and Panmunjom covering negotiations for the release of the USS Pueblo and her crew from North Korean captivity.
In 1969 he joined the Navy Reserve, serving with public-affairs units. He retired as a senior chief journalist after more than 34 years of active and reserve naval service.
Mr. Egnor then began a civilian Navy career in Washington, serving in various public-affairs offices. He was recently recognized for his contributions to military photojournalism around the world with a National Citation of Excellence from the National Press Photographers Association.
His military decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation and Achievement Medals, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Korean Service (USS Pueblo*) Good Conduct Medal with three stars, Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal with one star, Vietnam Campaign Medal with three stars and RVN Service Medal Gallantry Cross and Civil Actions Unit Awards.
*USS Pueblo: In 1968, the AFEM was awarded for Naval operations in defense of the USS Pueblo, which was seized by North Korea, as well as for Korean Service. Egnor spent six weeks in Seoul and Panmunjom covering negotiations for the release of the USS Pueblo and her crew from North Korean captivity.
It was noted in his civilian performance evaluation, "Mr. Egnor's ability to make decisions without hesitation makes his one of the most independent and functional divisions in this command. His leadership skills contributes directly to the Navy being on the cutting edge of electronic digital photography."
A memorial service was held June 25 at the Post Chapel, Fort Myer, followed by interment at Arlington National Cemetery. A graveside award was given to JOSC Egnor's mother: The Secretary of the Navy's Distinguished Civilian Service Award was presented to his mother. Yet another testimony to Russ' treasured service to the Navy.
In an award he was to receive from the prestigious National Press Photographers Association in July (1997), Russ was being recognized for: "Leading the way in military digital imaging with the establishment of a worldwide network of Navy photographers based on ships at sea and naval stations capable of receiving images from major military operations 24 hours a day through a vast computer network for instant release."
Other Comments:
JOSC RUSSELL DARRELL EGNOR namesake:
The Russell Egnor Navy Media Awards
– formerly the CHINFO Awards –
The program promotes excellence in Navy journalism, photography, videography and graphic arts among Navy commands and their Public Affairs and Visual Information (PA/VI) specialists, and recognizes outstanding achievement in Navy media products.
JOSC Russ Egnor was a member of the United States Navy League, Fleet Reserve Association, U.S. Naval Institute, Association of Naval Aviation, U.S. Navy Public Affairs Association (USNPAA), and a charter member of the Association of Naval Photography (NANP).
1967-1969, JO-8147, Fleet Combat Camera Group Pacific (FLTCOMCAMGRUPAC), Fleet Imaging Command Pacific (FICP) Miramar
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Other Memories PHOTO: February 1968 - Saigon, Vietnam -- Vietnamese children watch as Journalist 1st Class (JO1) Russell D. Egnor of Pacific Fleet Combat Camera Group (PFCCG) relaxes in front of a villa on Phan Dinh Phung Street with a monkey that was captured from a Viet Cong village in the Mekong Delta. (Official U.S. Navy Photo by PHC V.O. McColley/ Released)
