Lieutenant Roy W. Russell was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He received his commission in 1972 through the Navy Enlisted Scientific Education Program (NESEP) at Purdue University where he majored in Electrical Engineering.
      He started his naval career in the enlisted ranks in 1961 as an Electronics Technician on FBM Submarines. After seven years he applied for and was accepted in the NESEP Program.
     He has served onboard the USS GRAND RAPIDS (PG-48) as the Weapons/Supply Officer and has attended six months of Surface Warfare Officer's School. In 1976 he reported onboard USS RICHARD S. EDWARDS (DD-950) for duty as Operations Officer.