The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Robert J. Bell (ASN: 42072242), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 23 December 1944 in Luxembourg. Sergeant Bell, a rifle company squad leader, without hesitation, assumed command of the platoon in which he served when the leader became a casualty in an assault on strongly held enemy positions. Flanking the enemy positions and despite intense machine gun, mortar, and tank fire, Sergeant Bell led his men to successfully attain the assigned objective. It was while he was establishing defensive positions that Sergeant Bell was mortally wounded by sniper fire. His courage, aggressive leadership, and loyal devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.