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 (Chaplain’s Corps) Richard Randolph Bell (ASN: 0-43201), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Chaplain with 1st Battalion, 290th Infantry Regiment, 75th Infantry Division, in action in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge from 24 December 1944 to 24 January 1945. While his battalion was in almost constant contact with strong enemy forces holding a series of commanding positions, Chaplain Bell exhibited exemplary courage and devotion to duty, chiefly responsible for the excellent state of morale of the infantrymen without which the task of smashing the German offensives would have been much more difficult. Time after time he crawled to forward positions to comfort the wounded and administer rites to the dying. He was indefatigable in evacuation of our men and enemy dead, and in procuring whatever comforts were available for the troops. On several occasions Chaplain Bell gave his own clothing to the men at the front during bitter cold weather, while he, himself, went without essential items of warm clothing until they could be replaces. He persisted in conducting religious services under almost impossible circumstances. The heroic work of this courageous chaplain served as an example to the men of the battalion and was immeasurably responsible for its ultimate successes in obtaining each of its difficult objectives. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Bell, 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.