Russell in Greenup County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Veterans Memorial
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 28, 2021
1. Veterans Memorial
In honor and memory of those who served in the Armed Forces to protect America’s continuing devotion to the ideals of liberty.
Erected 2006 by Russell Civic League.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, Korean. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list.
Location. 38° 31.905′ N, 82° 41.775′ W. Memorial is in Russell, Kentucky, in Greenup County. It can be reached from the intersection of Ferry Street and Vine Alley, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 501 Ferry Street, Russell KY 41169, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Kentucky’s Kyova Tri-State Region. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Ohio River Valley, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: City of Ironton (approx. half a mile away in Ohio); The flood of 1937 (approx. half a mile away in Ohio); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away in Ohio); The Official State Ohio Memorial Day Parade (approx. half a mile away in Ohio); Col William C. Lambert (approx. half a mile away in Ohio); High Water Mark (approx. half a mile away in Ohio); Unger's Shoes (approx. 0.6 miles away in Ohio); Lawrence County Viet-Nam Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away in Ohio).
Also see . . .
1. Ernest Edison West (Congressional Medal of Honor Society).
Excerpt: Pfc. West distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. He voluntarily accompanied a contingent to locate and destroy a reported enemy outpost. Nearing the objective, the patrol was ambushed and suffered numerous casualties. Observing his wounded leader lying in an exposed position,(Submitted on September 11, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Pfc. West ordered the troops to withdraw, then braved intense fire to reach and assist him. While attempting evacuation, he was attacked by three hostile soldiers employing grenades and small-arms fire. Quickly shifting his body to shelter the officer, he killed the assailants with his rifle, then carried the helpless man to safety. He was critically wounded and lost an eye in this action, but courageously returned through withering fire and bursting shells to assist the wounded. While evacuating two comrades, he closed with and killed three more of the foe. Pfc. West's indomitable spirit, consummate valor, and intrepid actions inspired all who observed him, reflect the highest credit on himself, and uphold the honored traditions of the military service.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 28, 20212. Ernest E. West MemorialMedal of Honor
PFC U.S. Army
KoreaMedal of Honor Action Date: October 12, 1952
Medal of Honor Action Place: near Sataeri, Korea
Presentation Date & Details: January 12, 1954, The White House, presented by Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower
Born: September 2, 1931, Russell, Greenup County, Kentucky, USA
Died: May 1, 2021, Huntington, West Virginia, USA
Buried: Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Northeast, Grayson, Kentucky
2. John Walton Collier (Congressional Medal of Honor Society).
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 28, 2021
3. John W. Collier Memorial
CPL U.S. Army
Korea
Excerpt: Cpl. Collier, Company C, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. While engaged in an assault on a strategic ridge strongly defended by a fanatical enemy, the leading elements of his company encountered intense automatic-weapons and grenade fire. Cpl. Collier and three comrades volunteered and moved forward to neutralize an enemy machine-gun position which was hampering the company's advance, but they were twice repulsed. On the third attempt, Cpl. Collier, despite heavy enemy fire and grenade barrages, moved to an exposed position ahead of his comrades, assaulted and destroyed the machine-gun nest, killing at least four enemy soldiers. As he returned down the rocky, fire-swept hill and joined his squad, an enemy grenade landed in their midst. Shouting a warning to his comrades, he, selflessly and unhesitatingly, threw himself upon the grenade and smothered its explosion with his body. This intrepid action saved his comrades from death or injury. Cpl. Collier's supreme, personal bravery, consummate gallantry, and noble self-sacrifice reflect untold glory(Submitted on September 11, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)upon himself and uphold the honored traditions of the military service.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 28, 20214. Veterans MemorialThe Ernest E. West and John W. Collier markers are in front of the Veterans Memorial.Medal of Honor Action Date: September 19, 1950
Medal of Honor Action Place: Chindoing-ni, Korea
Presentation Date & Details: June 21, 1951, The Pentagon, presented by Gen. Omar N. Bradley to his Father
Born: April 3, 1929, Worthington, Greenup County, Kentucky, USA
Died: September 19, 1950, Korea
Buried: Arlington National Cemetery (MH) (12-4637), Arlington, Virginia, USA
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 28, 2021
5. Veterans Memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on September 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 11, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
