Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
James
Franklin
Bell
January 9, 1856

–

January 8, 1919

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

James Franklin Bell graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1878. From April 14, 1906 to April 21, 1910 he served as the 4th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. He was wounded in the Philippine Insurrection where he became the first Medal of Honor recipient to also earn the Distinguished Service Cross.

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    36th Infantry

    Division:

    U.S. Volunteers

    Action Date:

    September 9, 1899
    Date of Issue: December 11, 1899

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Colonel (Infantry) James Franklin Bell, United States Army, for most distinguished gallantry on 9 September 1899, while serving with 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers, in action at Porac, Luzon, Philippine Islands. While in advance of his regiment, Colonel Bell charged seven insurgents with his pistol and compelled the surrender of the captain and two privates under a close fire from the remaining insurgents concealed in a bamboo thicket.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    World War I
    War Department, General Orders No. 73 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal (posthumously) to Major General James Franklin Bell, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I as Division, Cantonment, and Department Commander.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Corps of Engineers)

    Division:

    U.S. Volunteers

    Action Date:

    August 10, 1898
    War Department, General Orders No. 3, 1925

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Corps of Engineers) James Franklin Bell, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Engineering Officer, U.S. Volunteers, in action against Spanish forces at Manila, Philippine Islands, 10 August 1898. Major Bell, with utter disregard for his personal safety, conducted a bold and daring reconnaissance of the creek in front of Fort San Antonio de Abad held by Spanish forces, and ascertained not only that it was fordable, but the exact width of the ford at the beach, and swimming in the bay to a point from which he could examine the Spanish line from the rear, secured information which facilitated the planning of the successful attack of 13 August 1898, on Manila, Philippine Islands.