Remembering a fallen soldier and ASU alumnus

With a heavy heart, we regret to inform the ASU community that an Army ROTC Sun Devil Battalion alumnus has been lost in the line of duty. First Lieutenant Jonam Russell was killed in action on July 23, while conducting a dismounted patrol in the Wardak Province of Afghanistan.

Russell was born in Canada and raised in Cornville, Ariz. He attended Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business from August 2008 to May 2011, where he graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in business communication. Russell was commissioned in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer on May 12, 2011. Upon completion of Infantry Officer Basic Course, he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Ga. With them, Russell deployed to Wardak Province, Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom XIII.

Russell was killed in action while leading a dismounted patrol. He was 25 years old. Russell’s awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, Airborne Badge, Air Assault Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. He is survived by his parents Gilbert and Sophia Russell, and siblings Abigail, Noemi, Sarah, Nate and Benjamin.

With permission of the family, the ASU Army ROTC will be holding a memorial ceremony at 10 a.m., July 26, in the Old Main Ballroom on the Tempe campus. There will be several guest speakers, including students and Sun Devil Battalion Cadre members who knew him. An invitation is extended to the entire ASU community, alumni, faculty and staff to gather and remember a fallen Sun Devil and brave soldier, who gave his life in service to this country.

If you have any questions regarding the ceremony, call 480-965-3318. A live video feed of the memorial will be braodcast; the link will be provided on the ASU Army ROTC page at facebook.com/asuarmyrotc.