Russell P. Bott

Service & Sacrifice

Russell Peter Bott was born on September 5, 1936, and grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts. Known to friends and family as "Pete," he enlisted in the United States Army and devoted his career to the Special Forces, serving with Detachment B-52, the elite long-range reconnaissance unit designated Project Delta.

Just days before his final mission, Bott had already demonstrated extraordinary courage. From November 29 through December 1, 1966, he served as an advisor with a joint American-Vietnamese reconnaissance team infiltrated deep into hostile territory. Over three days, the small patrol was engaged multiple times by superior enemy forces. When the other American advisor was seriously wounded and a Vietnamese team member killed, Bott took charge, directing fire and throwing grenades to hold the position. When rescue helicopters arrived, he refused to leave, staying behind with his wounded comrade against overwhelming odds. For these actions, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

On December 2, 1966, MSG Bott and SFC Willie Stark were inserted with Vietnamese Special Forces approximately one and a half miles inside Laos, west of the Demilitarized Zone. The patrol was soon discovered by elements of the 325B NVA Division. A two-day running battle followed. In his final radio transmissions, Bott reported he was down to one grenade and a single magazine of ammunition, that several Vietnamese team members were dead or wounded, and that Stark had been hit. He requested extraction, but the rescue helicopter was driven off by intense fire and crashed. Bott indicated he was going to destroy his radio and believed capture was imminent. He was 30 years old.

Intelligence later indicated Bott may have been seen alive, with his arms bound, being led through a village three days after the engagement. He remains unaccounted for. His case is designated as Active Pursuit by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. He left behind a wife, Nancy, and a daughter, Jennifer, born just months before his final mission.