Topics in History

World War II—Eleven Abbeville Heroes

 10.  Peter S. Russo

Peter Russo was the son of Joe D. Russo and Caroline Carrado Russo. He enlisted in the US Marine Reserves several months before Pearl Harbor.

He was with the U.S. Marines who landed on Guam on July 21, 1944.  Peter was struck by a shell fragment and killed on Guam on July 23, 1944, making him the third Abbeville soldier killed in the war that month.

His father was the well-known and well-loved owner of Abbeville Bottling Works, maker of “Joe D. Pop Rouge” in Abbeville.

Peter had been a member of the boxing team at Abbeville High School and had established a reputation as an excellent boxer.

Peter had four brothers, David Russo, Robert "Robie" Russo, Raymond "Kotchie" Russo, and William "Bubba" Russo, and two sisters, Theresa Russo Bourgeois and Jo-Ann Russo.  Many of Peter's blood relatives still live in Abbeville.

We are grateful to Raymond "Kotchie" Russo for the picture above.

Next:  Elson J. Landry

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