The soldier charged in the deaths of fellow troops in Baghdad is on his third tour of duty in Iraq, according to his service record.
Excerpts of the record, obtained by The Associated Press, show that Army Sgt. John M. Russell previously did two one-year tours of duty there, one starting in April 2003 and another beginning November 2005.
Russell is charged in the deaths of five troops following a shooting in a stress clinic Monday in Baghdad.
The stress of repeat and extended tours is considered a main contributor to mental health problems among troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Russell is the son of Wilburn and Beth Russell, who live near Luella, southeast of Sherman. He has three sisters still living in this area, as well as an ex-wife. His son is a graduate of Denison schools.
Russell entered the Army National Guard in 1988 and served in the Guard until 1994, Russell became an active duty soldier in 1994, the record shows.
The military record also states that Russell served in Serbia through the last half of 1996 and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last half of 1998.
Russell received several medals and commendations, which the official described as typical for Russell's rank and time in the military. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak on the record.
Comments ... 17 found!
In My Prayers : 5/16/2009
My thoughts and prayers are with all those involved in this unfortunate situation. What a terrible tragedy. We need to make sure our soldiers get the proper care needed to endure the time spent away from their families. I'm so sorry, I can't even begin to imagine how difficult it is for those families.
TJWB
Question : 5/14/2009
Did we have these same issues in WW2? I think many, if not most, soldiers served extended tours back then.
too old
everyone suffers : 5/13/2009
I'm very sad for this family and the family of the men Sgt Russell killed. I must say I think he needed help way before this would have taken place. I know many of you are mad that they printed private family details. But I am very confused to why everyone says he was so innocent when he obviously had a history of violence? Again, not trying to make people made, just pointing out he needed the help long before, probably before ever divorcing. My heart hurts for his innocent family and his innocent victim's families but I do not believe it is right to point the fingers at "everybody else, somebody else," without first pointing it at the man who should take the reponsibility. There are thousands of men or women that are faced with the unthinkable, many that were in the same situations as this Sgt. Perhaps it was one too many tours for him. But I have to tell you I know many that are doing multiple tours, that had the ability to control themselves. Take it, people loose it, they absolutely sometimes have no control; but he is still the one responsible for murdering these brother's in arms. I hope the court takes in to account his pain that drove him to this and the Lord has mercy on his soul. I hope the families of both the Sgt. and the victims can regain some type of stability back into their lives. I only see that in this, everyone suffers.
One of a Multiple Military Family
: 5/13/2009
I went to school with John and he is no the type of person who would do this. Something must have happened. My heart is breaking for his family.
A beaner behind John!
: 5/13/2009
I BLAME THE ARMY, 3 TOURS IS TOO MUCH FOR ANY OF OUR SOLDIERS. WHAT ARE THEY THINKING? THEY AREN'T. MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE RUSSELL FAMILY, AND THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS. THEY ARE ALL VICTIMS OF THE ARMIES STUPIDITY. GIVE OUR SOLDIERS A BREAK THEY ARE FIGHTING FOR OUR FREEDOM AND I AM SO PROUD OF EACH ONE SERVING. BUT 3 TOURS AGAIN IS JUST TOO MUCH TO ASK OF ANY SOLDIER.AND YES SHAME ON THE HERALD DEMOCRAT FOR AND KXII FOR FILMING THE FAMILY, THEY ARE DISTRESSED ENOUGH WITH THE SITUATION.
SYMPATHY FOR FAMILIES
For Shame! : 5/13/2009
The news media, both television and newspapers, just blow me away. You prey upon people who have some grief in their lives and expose names of the family of which is totally shameful. You need to be reporting good news--oh, I forgot, bad news sells better! Shame on you!!
Disappointed again
Tragic for all involved... : 5/13/2009
It's time to bring the boys home. There were no WMD, Sadam is dead, we've won, let's get the heck out of there.
N. Lawson
he's still a hero : 5/12/2009
to his family, stay strong. he still a hero to our country, for some reason he did something terrible wrong. he put his life at risk for so many years, defending our freedom, lets pray for him and his family and the other soldiers families.
Omar
My Opinion : 5/12/2009
I too knew John well and this was absolutely NOT indicative of him or his demeanor. Just thinking logically about this situation, you read all the time about people losing their jobs, home, getting divorced, etc, and stressing out and killing people so, even though this is terrible and wrong by any standard, why would you not think this would happen even more often under these unthinkable conditions? Watching your friends get torn apart, die in front of you, being away from your family for months (or years) at a time, thinking you may get killed or maimed at any moment, etc. It's no mystery to me. I am sorry for the families of those lost, but again, this was NOT Johns personality and I am in shock that he was even capable of this unspeakable act. Pray for him, his family and the others who died that day.
A Very Sad Friend
Thought to this article : 5/12/2009
Gee, did nobody think it was completely wrong to list the family details? No sensitivity or thought about the innocent family members!
kev
Sgt. John M. Russell : 5/12/2009
It drives me insane knowing the military knows the side effects of being in combat. These are young men who represent our country, that means each and every one of us. Some claim the military is analogous to a cult, 100% brainwashing. I do not applaud what Russell did, but we should not act surprised. I am full of sadness for the Russell family and friends and for his other victims...they are all victims.
33SL8
: 5/12/2009
The news media should be ashamed. KXII, The Herald Democrat and any other news organization releasing addresses, family members, schools, etc.. Yes what Mr. Russell did is horrible, but until you have served in the military under war time conditions you have no clue to the stress and trauma our men and women face each hour. My prayers go out to the soldiers' killed and their families, Sgt. Russell and his family members. Thank you each of our men and women who serve, or who have served.
Barry W. (Sherman)
Prayers : 5/12/2009
I went to school with John Russell at Tom Bean and he was a very quiet and unassuming kid . No excusses her and my prayers go out to him and his family as well as the families who lost loved ones, but I'm sure John and all the other men in our military have seen and done things that most of us could not even imagine in our wildest dreams . Sad day in the USA.
dismayed in Sherman
: 5/12/2009
I have to agree that divulging all the family information is rather unnecessary, and simply cruel. Why is it even relevant? Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't remember reading about where Andre Thomas' parents & siblings live and where his kids went to school?????
Had to Comment
: 5/12/2009
My prayers and thoughts go out to the Russell Family and the femily members of the other military soliders involved.
JAW
Was this to embarass the family? : 5/12/2009
I am ashamed that this has been posted here for all to read. This man was there to fight for our freedom. His family supported him as he left them behind, yet you have dirtied his family name. What he did is something he will have to pay the price for, but shaming the family was going too far! Listing his family by name, the schools that he attended, family in the area and the mention of ex-wife is wrong. I am curious if anything was ever written when he did serve three tours? The pride his family had when he enlisted and served for three tours? Dragging them through the dirt isn't fair to the family. Shame on you! This family has enough to deal with.
Local Citizen
I am praying for Sgt. John M. Russell : 5/12/2009
My son is in Iraq...his first deployment. He is already showing signs of stress. I can't imagine after 3 deployments....I will be in prayer for Sgt. Russell and his family....let's not forget that he too is a victim of this horrible war!
Dana
LOCAL AND WIRE 
