The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Kenneth Holmes Bell (AFSN: FR-25966), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, PACIFIC Air Forces, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in Southeast Asia on 10 March 1967. On that date, Major Bell was a member of a surface-to-air missile suppression flight in support of a strike against a large industrial complex. Major Bell and his flight, with great courage, flew through anti-aircraft defenses which were so dense that the flight leader was downed, and all three of the remaining flight members’ aircraft were damaged. Major Bell’s aircraft was damaged to the extent that aircraft control was marginal. However, he elected to remain in the target area flying through the hail of flak three more times until he had the key missile installation shattered and burning from a series of vicious attacks. Throughout the entire flight, Major Bell exhibited complete disregard for his personal welfare in the face of overwhelming odds. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Bell has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
April 25, 1967
Headquarters, Pacific Air Force, Special Orders No. G-1130 (August 3, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major Kenneth Holmes Bell (AFSN: FR-25966), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, PACIFIC Air Forces, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 25 April 1967. On that date, Major Bell was the force commander of a strike against a major target in hostile territory. In spite of adverse weather conditions, Major Bell successfully attacked the target while under attack by hostile interceptors, surface-to-air missiles, and heavy anti-aircraft artillery fire. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Bell has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Kenneth Holmes Bell (AFSN: FR-25966), United States Air Force, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States with the NATO Airborne EW Program, from 1981 to 1984. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Bell culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Kenneth Holmes Bell (AFSN: FR-25966), United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy, Communications Systems, Electronics System Division, Air Force Service Command, from 1979 to 1981. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Bell and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major Kenneth Holmes Bell (AFSN: FR-25966), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Forces, in Southeast Asia, from 1966 to 1967. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major Kenneth Holmes Bell (AFSN: FR-25966), United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Forces, in Southeast Asia, from 1966 to 1967. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Legion of Merit
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Kenneth Holmes Bell (AFSN: FR-25966), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with Headquarters, Aeronautical (Aerospace) Systems Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, from 1972 to 1976. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Bell and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Kenneth Holmes Bell (AFSN: FR-25966), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 1976 to 1979. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Bell and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major Kenneth Holmes Bell (AFSN: FR-25966), United States Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Forces, in Southeast Asia, from 1966 to 1967. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.