|
TAPS
Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.
Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night. |
|
|
|
|
BORN:
December 29, 1911 at Grantsville, WV
Entered Service in the US
Army from New York, NY
Earned
The Medal of Honor During World War II For heroism on
December 18, 1944 at Mittelwihr, France
DIED: January
11, 1971 at the age of 59
|
|
Sergeant Bell
led a squad against a schoolhouse held by enemy troops. While his
men covered him, he dashed toward the building, surprised 2 guards
at the door and took them prisoner without firing a shot. He found
that other Germans in the cellar and forced all 26 to emerge and
surrender. His squad then occupied the building and prepared to
defend it. The next day several more prisoners were taken and
other Germans killed when hostile forces were attracted to the
schoolhouse by the sound of captured German weapons fired by the
Americans. At dawn a German tank fired round after round into the
structure, partially demolishing the upper stories. Despite this
heavy fire, Bell climbed to the second floor and directed
artillery fire to force the hostile tank to withdraw. He then
adjusted mortar fire on large forces of enemy foot soldiers
attempting to reach the American position. When this force broke
and attempted to retreat, he directed deadly machinegun and rifle
fire into their disorganized ranks. T/Sergeant Bell enabled his
8-man squad to drive back approximately 150 of the enemy, killing
at least 87 and capturing 42. Personally, he killed more than 20
and captured 33 prisoners.
|
|
