This listing is more aimed for those who seek to preserve history almost lost to time. Now found within the folds of modern marketplaces, I attempt to find as much information about their service, along with photos, obituaries, any other information pertaining to the individual. My hope is the buyer of this item will take the due-diligence to keep the veteran's memory alive and preserve their documents and items as long as they can. May God bless those past and present who sacrifice so much for us, and may their sacrifice never be in vain.

Here is a Navy Good Conduct Medal Grouping that is named to Russell Edward Sparks. (1928-2023)

He was born on May 23, 1928 in Rock Island, Illinois where he would live there with his family, Oden and Francis Marie Sparks. His father worked as a moulder (casting molten metal to produce solidified castings) and his mother took care of Russell and sister, Juanita. Russell registered for the draft in 1946 and enlisted in the US Navy.

He was then transferred to St. Louis, Missouri likely to be redirected to the proper training facilities on September 12, 1947. He would find himself at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, California where he would be trained as a Seaman's Apprentice. He would eventually graduate to receive his Seaman (SN) rank, eventually receiving the Seaman 2nd Class (S2) rank.

While we don't have Spark's DD256, the archives was kind enough to provide what awards he had (National Defense, Navy GC) which tells us he served 4 years in the Navy (according to his obituary) and served during the Korea War (National Defense), but saw no service in the war itself. 

After his discharge, Russell began to work at the Rock Island Arsenal in 1950 where he functioned as program analyst and project manager. He would marry his partner, Arlene, on October 20, 1953 in Milan, Illinois. He also worked with his father, Oden, in the real estate business after obtaining his license in 1960. He retired from the Rock Island Arsenal in 1983, where he would work at the Trimble Funeral Home and various golf shops, repairing golf equipment (Obituary).

Russell bowled, collected coins, and golfed. It seems he had a big passion for golf as he was part of the Tara Country Club committee and president of the Tara County Golf Association. He was also very proud of his three holes-in-one. He was also part of Eureka Lodge #69 since 1949 as well as a 70+ year member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Moline, and Kaaba Shriners in Davenport. He also served on the Coal Valley Planning and Zoning Board.

Eventually Sparks and Arlene would move to Florida to retire, where he would pass away due to natural causes on May 4, 2023. He was 94 years old.

The buyer will receive all that is pictured, including:

- His Navy Good Conduct Medal

- Replacement National Defense Medal

- Replacement Ribbon Bars (Navy GC & National Def.)

- Copy of his draft card 

- Copy of all available Muster Rolls

- A Photograph of Sparks (Reprinted on photo paper. Photo taken 2010s)

Shipped with USPS Ground Advantage. International Shipping and combined shipping is offered.