By Deborah Larsen
Russell Mitchell Braga
Russell Mitchell Braga was born in Rochester, Michigan, on August 10, 1918, the son of August and Bertha Steinberg Braga. Russell attended Rochester High School, graduating as the valedictorian of the class of 1936. He continued his education at the University of Michigan, where he earned a degree in economics in 1941 and a master’s degree in business administration in 1942.
In May 1942, Russell enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a supply officer. He was stationed aboard the destroyer USS Dashiell and spent 18 months in the Pacific Theater. The Dashiell participated in the campaigns for Tarawa, Leyte, Western New Guinea, Guam, and Okinawa. After the surrender of Japan, Russell was stationed aboard the cruiser USS Augusta, which participated in Operation Magic Carpet, transporting U.S. troops home from the European Theater.
After the war, Russell married and started a family. He was released from military service in 1946 and returned to the University of Michigan, earning a law degree in 1948. He became chief executive officer of SPS Technologies, an aerospace components manufacturer based in Pennsylvania. He retired to Florida in 1985.
Russell Mitchell Braga died at age 71 on May 22, 1990.