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WESTPORT — When one thinks of the “greatest generation” or World War II Generation,Russ Hart is one of the first people to come to mind, according to state Rep. Paul Schmid.  Many Westporters, like Schmid, appear to feel the same about Hart, 92, a Renaissance man who has served his community in many ways.  Hart spent four years on active duty in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1955, with three of those spent in Europe.  He joined the town’s American Legion Post 145 in 1971 and was honored on Monday, March 15, for 50 years of service to the post.  But service to his country and wo...

>> there was always a gentleman agreement between warring combatants that you could exchange certain prisoners. general prescott is a part of british occupation of newport. and prescott is seen in embodying everything that is evil and wrong of the british occupation. so, the goal was to capture him and use him as an exchange so general lee could be brought back into the continental army. >> the man washington trusts to raid the british and capture general prescott is major william barton, jack sisson's new commander. >> major barton was a part of the rhode island command structure, a rhode isl...

Founding fathers to free his slaves. >> for jack sisson and his fellow african-american patriots, the revolution is as much a war for personal freedom as it is for their country's. unfortunately, their hope for equality is deferred to future generations. many of these heroes have simply been forgotten, or vanished, like jack sisson. but their contributions to the founding of a free nation stand as true examples of the american character. sacrifice they make in their fight for national and personal liberty is something we must never forget. you monda

His head as a battering ram. but whether the story is true or not, sisson is an integral part of the operation. the daring mission results in the successful exchange of the captured general prescott for the american general, charles lee -- all without firing a single shot. >> jack sisson's crucial role in the prescott raid's success earns the admiration of george washington, who still isn't certain about african-american soldiers. >> george washington was born into virginia culture. and slavery is very, very much a part of virginia culture. so, the idea of trusting african individuals with wea...

[ birds chirping ] >> all right, boys. get this cannon mounted. >> philadelphia has fallen. jack sisson and just 400 men of the rhode island regiments must hold a vital post... >> right, let's get a move on. >> ...against 1,200 professional killers, german mercenaries called hessians, led by colonel carl von donop. >> make preparations for a two-pronged attack. >> many african-american soldiers believe their decision to fight alongside free patriots is a just one that will eventually lead to their own freedom. >>ausziehen! schnell! >> but what many forget is that the enslaved population, parti...