- SURNAME
Bell
- FORENAME
Earl W.
- UNIT
3 Recon Bn (HQ and Service Company) (3 MarDiv)
- RANK
Staff Sergeant
- NUMBER
1670116
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
South Vietnam 1967
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Eddystone,Pennsylvania
born 4.4.1930 Chester,Pennsylvania
WIA 24.3.1967 South Vietnam
CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Earl W. Bell (MCSN: 1670116), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Headquarters and Service Company, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 24 March 1967. While escorting the Battalion Officer of the Day to check posts of the division perimeter, Staff Sergeant Bell distinguished himself against an unknown number of enemy forces. While inspecting the check-point of the Hue/Phu Bai vital area, an enemy grenade was thrown between the Officer of the Day and the sentries guarding the south check-point. Shouting a warning, Staff Sergeant Bell, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, rushed to the point where he believed the grenade had landed. Demonstrating intrepid strength of purpose and bravery, he located the deadly missile in complete darkness and hurled it from the immediate vicinity of the sentries and the Officer of the Day. Although wounded when the grenade exploded in the air approximately fifteen meters from his position, he remained calm and instructed the Corporal of the Guard to notify superiors of the incident and for the sentries to set up a hasty defense. By his daring initiative, inspiring leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal risk, Staff Sergeant Bell upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/39756
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