Van D. Bell
Van Daley Bell Jr. (August 25, 1918 – June 3, 2009) was a highly decorated United States Marine with the rank of colonel. He was the only Marine to be awarded the Navy Cross in the Korean War and a second award in the Vietnam War.
Van Daley Bell Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | "Ding Dong Bell" |
| Born | August 25, 1918 Atlanta, Georgia |
| Died | June 3, 2009 (aged 90) Tupelo, Mississippi |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1936–1975 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Commands held | 1st Battalion, 1st Marines |
| Battles/wars | World War II
|
| Awards | Navy Cross (2) Silver Star (2) Purple Heart (5) |
Early career
Van D. Bell was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 25, 1918. Bell enlisted in the Marines on March 13, 1936 and attended Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. Afterwards, he was assigned to the 4th Marine Regiment in China, before serving on board the USS Augusta where he was Admiral Harry E. Yarnell’s bodyguard.[1][2]
With the outbreak of World War II, Bell was soon promoted to Master Sergeant and participated in the battles of Guadalcanal and Okinawa with the 1st Marine Division. After the war, he was commissioned a lieutenant and returned to China in January 1947 where he remained until May 1949. He was then assigned to the Marine Barracks in Newport, Rhode Island from June 1949 to February 1951.[1][2]
Korean War
In March 1951, First Lieutenant Bell deployed to Korea and was assigned to B Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. In April, he was awarded his first Silver Star for carrying a wounded Marine 400 yards to safety while under heavy fire.[2][3]
On May 29, he took command of a platoon after it took several casualties and led it in an assault on an enemy-held ridge, knocking out three enemy bunkers. While assaulting a fourth bunker, Bell was wounded in the face by a grenade, but he continued leading his platoon until wounded again in the leg. He was awarded his first Navy Cross for his actions, and was later wounded again in October and sent back to the United States.[1][2][3]
Vietnam War
Lieutenant Colonel Bell deployed to Vietnam with the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines in December 1965. On June 6, 1966, he led three M50 Ontos vehicles into enemy territory to relieve a platoon that was heavily engaged with the enemy. His leadership repelled the enemy and resulted in 30 enemy deaths. While returning to base, the lead Ontos struck a mine and was destroyed, wounding Bell. The enemy then launched an ambush on the remaining vehicles, but Bell was able to lead his Marines in fighting them off. For his actions, he was awarded his second Navy Cross.[1][2][3]
Bell extended his tour in South Vietnam for another six months in early 1967. While in Vietnam, Bell was popular among reporters and photographers for giving them straight facts. He was also given the nickname "Ding Dong Bell."[4] In February 1967, he led his battalion across a river during Operation Stone, in which over 200 enemy soldiers were killed and dozens of prisoners were taken.[5] Lieutenant Colonel Bell was awarded his second Silver Star for his leadership.[3] He later took part in Operation Union before leaving Vietnam in July 1967.[1][2][6]
Later career and life
Bell served at numerous duty stations after leaving Vietnam, including the Marine Barracks at USNB Guantanamo Bay, and Camp Smedley Butler in Okinawa, Japan. Colonel Bell retired after 39 years of service on July 1, 1975. Van D. Bell died on June 3, 2009, in Tupelo, Mississippi. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.[1][2]
See also
References
- "Col Van Daley Bell, Jr". Find A Grave.
- "Van D. Bell, Jr". Veteran Tributes.
- "Van Daley Bell". Military Times.
- Dan Southerland. "Capt. Bobby Lain: Leadership in the Midst of Tragedy". HISTORYNET.
- Gary L. Telfer, Lane Rogers & V. Keith Fleming Jr. "US Marines in Vietnam: Fighting the North Vietnamese 1967" (PDF). History and Museums Division Headquarters USMC.
- "The Marines in Vietnam: 1954-1973" (PDF). History and Museums Division Headquarters USMC.