The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star with Combat “V” to Specialist Charles E. Bell, Jr., United States Army, for exceptional valor as a machine gunner in Chosen Company, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503rd infantry, during combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Specialist Bell displayed extreme courage and valor under fire during his role in an attack on the Ranch House Outpost. Specialist Bell was a vital element in the suppression of the enemy advance, and preventing them from enveloping the post by risking his life and exposing himself to enemy fire in order to reach a MK-19 40-mm. grenade launcher. Specialist Bell then held off a larger advancing enemy by placing effective fire on their positions outside the wire. Specialist Bell then manned a 240B machine gun and effectively continued suppressing fire when he was wounded. Despite the bullet wound in the arm, Specialist Bell continued to stop the enemy from infiltrating the perimeter until close air support (A-10s) made three gun runs on enemy positions. With the enemy at bay, Specialist Bell continued communications to the tactical operations center on the radio and helped cover the evacuation of casualties. His actions saved many lives, and reflect great credit upon him, Task Force Bayonet, Combined Joint Task Force-82, and the United States Army.