Russell Dunham (February 23, 1920 – April 6, 2009)[1][2] was an American World War II veteran and recipient of the Medal of Honor.

With machine gun fire coming down the hill in front of their unit, and a heavy artillery barrage landing behind them, Dunham decided "the only way to go was up".

[5] Using a white mattress cover as a camouflage aid against the backdrop of the snow, Dunham began moving up the hill.

When their search of his pockets turned up a pack of cigarettes, they fought over it, overlooking his pistol in a shoulder holster.

Wearing a white robe made of a mattress cover, carrying 12 carbine magazines and with a dozen hand grenades snagged in his belt, suspenders, and buttonholes, T/Sgt.

Dunham advanced in the attack up a snow-covered hill under fire from 2 machine guns and supporting riflemen.

Dunham crawled 75 yards under heavy direct fire toward the timbered emplacement shielding the left machine gun.

When the indomitable sergeant sprang to his feet to renew his 1-man assault, a German egg grenade landed beside him.

Dunham proceeded 50 yards through a storm of automatic and rifle fire to attack the second machine gun.

Twenty-five yards from the emplacement he hurled 2 grenades, destroying the gun and its crew; then fired down into the supporting foxholes with his carbine dispatching and dispersing the enemy riflemen.

At 15 yards range, he jumped to his feet, staggered a few paces toward the timbered machinegun emplacement and killed the crew with hand grenades.

Dunham erected a monument at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in honor of those who served with the 3rd Infantry Division.

[5] Dunham died of heart failure in his sleep on the morning of April 6, 2009 at his home in Godfrey, Illinois at the age of 89.