Russell Stuart Temple Msgt, Usaf Retired

Russell Stuart Temple Msgt, USAF Retired Russell Stuart a Temple, 84, passed away on Wednesday, September 21, 2016. Born on April 13, 1932 in Prince George County, Virginia, he was the son of the late Russell Alexander and Ruby Lyles Temple. He began his military career in 1947 with Company E 176 Regiment Combat Team with the Virginia National Guard. During his career in the USAF he was an Air Craft Loadmaster amassing over 13,000 hours, 259 combat support missions and was Combat Crew Qualified. He was crew assigned on various transport aircrafts such as C-119, C-124, C-130, C-141 and C-5A. His last assignment as Wing Standardization Loadmaster was for the 437 Military Airlift Wing based at Charleston AFB in South Carolina. Russell was selected to fly on many special missions in addition to numerous highly classified missions. He was appointed as Loadmaster/Crew in the 60's for President John F. Kennedy until Kennedy's death in 1963. He flew numerous Presidential support missions, one of which was President Richard Nixon's China trip in 1969. He was crew on one of the first American aircrafts to enter China after two decades. He also flew on President Nixon's 1972 Culture Exchange Mission when the United States and China made animal exchanges; in which he brought back two gifted pandas from China named Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing that were housed at National Zoo in Washington, DC. His decorations and awards include, but are not limited to, The Chief Air Crew Members Wings, the Combat Crew Badge, the Distinguished Flying across, Oakleaf adorned Air Medals, OLC Air Force Commendation Medal, OLC Combat Medal, USAF Outstanding Unit Award, USAF Good Conduct Medal with Knots and OLC, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (5 battle stars), NCO Academy Graduate Ribbon and many other numerous awards, citations, honors and commendations. He retired from the USAF in 1973, completing 23 years of active service. After retiring from the USAF, he was employed with Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. and retired in June 1991 after 19 years of service. He was a longstanding member of the NCOA, NCO Academy Alumna as well as a Mason and 32nd Degree in the Scottish Rite. Russell is survived by his wife of 64 years Malinda Merritt Temple, daughters Donna Marie Sloss (John) of Atlanta, Malinda Rene Hart (John, IV) of Macon and Lindsay Broxterman James (Scott) of Jackson, Georgia and his grandchildren John English, Anna Grace, Greyson, Madison and Rebecca. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, September 26, 2016, at 12:00 PM, at Christ Church on Walnut Street. A reception will follow the service at the church. Register online at www.hartsmort.com. Hart's Mortuary and Crematory, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.