FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (May 10, 2012) -- In the 28 years since Melvin Russell joined American Forces Radio and Television until his retirement April 30 as acting director of the Defense Media Activity, he was determined to deliver live American TV to all service members and their families stationed around the globe.
Until the early 1980s, they could only watch tapes of popular television shows and sporting events that were months old or get the latest news from military broadcasters who read wire-service copy on air.
But as satellite TV technology emerged, Russell traveled from country to country, negotiating with allies and partner nations for permission to link American TV signals for rebroadcast to American military bases within their borders.
When the last holdout finally agreed, Russell accompanied the contingency satellite dishes on their flight from the broadcast center in Riverside, Calif., and helped to assemble them.
"We set up live television within a few days," Russell recalled in a recent interview with American Forces Press Service. "This was the first worldwide network, the first time they had ever allowed for a foreign service -- the United States -- to deliver American television to multiple downlinks around the world. We were the pioneer in doing that."
Today, AFRTS uses seven satellites along with digital compression technology to provide multiple television and stereo audio services to more than 1,000 outlets in 177 countries and U.S. territories, and to Navy ships at sea.
At his retirement ceremony at DMA, Russell was honored for his role in expanding AFRTS from a single-channel, over-the-air system into a multichannel, satellite-delivered network. The ceremony also paid tribute to Russell's five decades of service, including 23 years in the military before retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1983.
"I am truly blessed," said Russell, 73. "I had the opportunity to serve my country for 50 years."
George Little, acting assistant secretary of defense for public affairs and Pentagon press secretary, presented Russell with the Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Award.
"His deep respect for our men and women in uniform is evident in his life's work," Little said. "His commitment to bringing a little piece of home to every service member, no matter how far away, was never an obligation for Mel. It was his passion."
DMA service members from all branches, civilian employees and public affairs representatives attended the 45-minute event that was broadcast to DMA activities in California and in clips worldwide.
Distinguished guests included Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Bryan Whitman; Rear Adm. Dennis Moynihan, the Navy's chief of information; Max Lederer, publisher of Stars and Stripes; and Michael Galloucis, executive director of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
"Looking across the room I see a lot of familiar faces, men and women who Mel has counseled, led, and mentored -- and even a few who actually listened to him," Little said. "Mel is a talented communicator, broadcaster and leader. ... In times of crisis and during the relentless pace of everyday business, we have all been able to count on Mel and the dedicated team of professionals at DMA."
Little also thanked Russell's wife of 50 years, Mary Katherine, and their two children and four grandchildren for their support. He then recounted Russell's "long and distinguished" career that culminated in October 2008 as acting director of DMA and senior manager of DoD visual information, web and print, new media and broadcasting operations including director of AFRTS.
"I loved every minute of it," Russell said at the ceremony, his voice breaking.
His service began in 1961 when he was commissioned through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Texas A&M University, where he earned a degree in chemistry.
For more than 20 years he served as a Signal Corps officer. During the 1968 Tet Offensive in South Vietnam, Russell and his fellow service members were caught in a firefight and were evacuated by U.S. Marines after many of Russell's colleagues were killed.
Russell, who had joined the Armed Forces Vietnam Network, was selected in 1968 to attend the Army-sponsored master's degree program in film and television production at the University of Texas. At Fort Benning, Ga., Russell made the Army's first conversion from black-and-white to color television, and in a foreign exchange program he established a television facility for the British Royal Signals School.
In 1981, after commanding the Army Audio Visual Activity in the Pentagon for nearly five years, Russell served as assistant director of AFRTS until his military retirement two years later. In 1984, he returned as a civilian to the DoD as director of AFRTS.
After AFRTS created the first worldwide network, CNN turned to Russell and his staff for satellite access while standing up its own 24/7 worldwide network. In return, CNN provided its programming, including CNN Headline News, at no charge for AFRTS to broadcast to its overseas audience.
Despite AFRTS' evolution from its first radio broadcasts in 1942 to deployed troops, Russell said its mission remains constant.
"What has not changed is the men and women who do this," Russell said at the ceremony. "Their passion to provide a touch of home has not changed."
Retired Marine Gen. Peter Pace, the 16th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sent a letter of congratulations that was read at the ceremony:
"You left an indelible mark on those who served with you," wrote Pace, who was among the group of Marines who saved Russell's life in Vietnam.
At the reception, Russell greeted a long line of current and former colleagues
"Fifty years of outstanding and honorable and dedicated service," said Col. Jeremy Martin, commandant of the Defense Information School. "He has been an innovator in the field of broadcasting, and he has positively impacted the lives of millions of men and women in uniform and their families who have served our country around the world.
"I don't know how you replace 51 years of service. He will be sorely missed."
Editor's note: Reporter Donna Miles of the American Forces Press Service contributed to this article.
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