July 26, 1914

William Leon Russell was born near Cecil (Franklin County). Russell, who served in World War II and the Korean War, ranks as the Arkansas National Guard soldier who has received the most Purple Hearts. Russell was also awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Expert Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Pre-Pearl Harbor ribbon, the American Theater ribbon, the Asiatic-Pacific ribbon with two stars, the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, and the European Theater ribbon with five campaign stars. Rising to the rank of captain, he was the second-most decorated soldier in the Eighty-third Division during World War II.