The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class William R. Bell (ASN: 13199905), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 29 January 1945, in Jebsheim, France. In the face of intense enemy machine gun and machine pistol fire, Private First Class Bell dashed across an open area to succeed in setting fire to hay in a barn., resulting in the capture of fifty-nine enemy soldiers. The coolness and intrepidity under fire displayed by Private First Class Bell is commensurate with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.