Lamar Russom served in the United States Army from March 1941 through November 1945 during World War II. He achieved the rank of Corporal and served as a Searchlight Crew Leader in the remote Aleutian Islands of the North Pacific.

Stationed at Dutch Harbor and Shimia Harbor, Lamar supervised a crew of soldiers operating powerful searchlights to scan the night skies for incoming Japanese aircraft. Their mission was particularly important because Japanese forces had already attacked the U.S. Army and Navy facilities at Dutch Harbor. Lamar and his crew helped identify enemy dive-bombers and provided an important part of the islands' nighttime defenses.

Lamar's wartime service was recognized with numerous decorations and citations, including five Overseas Service Bars, the American Defense Ribbon, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with Bronze Battle Star, Philippine Islands Liberation Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.

After returning home from the war, Lamar and his wife, Ethel, established their home in Farmington Hills in 1952. Together they raised three children, Carol, Tom, and Ron, all of whom graduated from Farmington High School.

Lamar was also a longtime and proud member of the Farmington branch of the Masonic Lodge, along with Temple, Elim and Faith Baptist Churches.

Lamar passed away in 2006, leaving behind not only his family and community, but also a record of military service that spanned the entire American involvement in World War II. His years serving in the Aleutian Islands were an important chapter in his life and a lasting part of his family's history.

Lamar Russom was one of the many Americans of his generation who answered his country's call to duty—and his service will be remembered.