The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Coxswain Harold E. Bell (NSN: 7233802), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 15 August 1944, after landing the assault troops in his LCVP, U.S.S. LST-285, and retracting from the beach. He went to the rescue of men whose LCVP had been sunk by heavy machine gun fire and were being machine gunned, without regard for his own life, and maneuvered his LCVP between the men and the gun fire thus drawing the fire, with the result of giving his life for his shipmates and in the service of his country. 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 Naval Service.