Joe Russo was born in Brooklyn, New York. He was 18 at the time of his military induction during World War II, headed for the South Pacific in the U.S. Navy. His chance acquaintances with a variety of people during that time helped shape his future plans. From Australia to the Philippines and finally Tampa, Joe became an area celebrity and a part of Tampa history. He recently spoke with his daughter Tina about some of those experiences, and one in particular that he recalls fondly more than fifty years later.