Theodore Bell was a 1942 graduate of The Citadel.
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Theodore Bell was a 1942 graduate of The Citadel.
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(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Theodore Spear Bell, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters Company, 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces near Ishimmi Ridge, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 17 and 18 May 1945. On the night of 17 May 1945, while commanding a rifle company, Lieutenant Bell led 204 men of his regiment in a night attack on the 350-foot rise a third of a mile in front of Shuri, reaching the crest and establishing positions. With dawn the Japanese responded with a heavy mortar and artillery barrage, with small arms and machine gun fire from both flanks established on the nearby Shuri heights. By early morning, all but one of the element’s 60-mm. mortars had been destroyed, and most of its radio’s had been knocked out. Surrounded and cut off for three days, Lieutenant Bell and his 31 surviving men held out. First Lieutenant Bell’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 77th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Theodore Spear Bell, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 8 and 9 December 1944. On 8 December Lieutenant Bell led three men across a rice paddy and eliminated two of the enemy harassing leading elements of his regiment. Later in the day he moved his platoon forward through heavy enemy fire to destroy several machine guns and a position manned by 25 enemy. The following day he dismounted his M-8 mount and directed a tank destroyer in the destruction of an enemy anti-tank gun, after his section chief was killed. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.