World War II Veteran Dr. Russell Edward Aven was born to Clara Mae and Elmer Aven on February 18, 1923, in Water Valley. From a young age, Dr. Aven excelled in chemistry and physics, which served him well throughout his life. In 1941, Dr. Aven enrolled at the University of Mississippi's engineering school as a Chemical Engineering major. It would not be long before our great Nation entered World War II. Dr. Aven was accepted and sworn into the U.S. Navy on June 12, 1944. His training in amphibious warfare enabled him to secure a position as a P-boat officer. Chemical warfare training paved the way for his next title of Chemical Warfare Officer on board the USS APA-138 Braxton. Their ship took in the first Marines to occupy Japan, Tokyo Bay, 1945. In 1946, Dr. Aven's tour in the U.S. Navy came to a close. After World War II, he eventually became a development engineer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he worked on the technology for nuclear power. From 1956-1996, Dr. Avens was a professor of Chemical Engineering at Ole Miss.
Debra Aven Swartzendruber, Dr. Aven's daughter, is proud of her dad. "Most of the greatest generation were known for a strong sense of duty, their integrity, being truthful, having a worthy character, a good work ethic, and for being noble and generous. It is very much worth the effort to learn from and emulate the examples that remain from the legacy left by these 100-year-old Christian warriors," Debra said.
I am pleased to announce that Dr. Aven will celebrate his 100th birthday next month! His service and devotion to America and to the field of science will always be remembered.
