The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Robert C. Bell (NSN: 0-57931), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Officer-in-Charge of the Ship Repair Forces at the U.S. Naval Operating Base, Oran, Algeria during the period of almost continual offensive operations against the enemy in the Central and Western Mediterranean from December 1942 to November 1944. Captain Bell exercised great skill and ingenuity in planning and supervising numerous drydockings and extensive major repairs to large numbers of ships and craft of the U.S. EIGHTH Fleet. Under his capable administration, all available repair facilities were efficiently organized, and the activities of civilian workers in the Oran shops smoothly coordinated so as to assure the maximum support to the forces afloat. In addition, Captain Bell’s expert technical advice was sought on numerous occasions in the solution of important material and repair problems affecting fleet maintenance, and his expert decisions contributed in large measure to the ability of our forces to conduct extended and arduous operations against the enemy. The professional skill, sound judgment and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bell reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Robert C. Bell (NSN: 0-57931), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Officer-in-Charge of Ships Repair Forces at the naval Operating Base, Oran, Algeria prior to and during the amphibious invasions of the island of Sicily in July 1943 and the Italian Mainland in September 1943. Captain Bell, exhibiting particular skill and energy, established the Ship Repair Unit as an activity of the Naval Operating Base. By his thorough engineering knowledge, tact and able leadership, he effectively coordinated the activities of the base facilities with the local shops and floating dry docks controlled by Allied authorities to produce a maximum effort in the repair and overhaul of shipping. His efficient and constant supervision of port repair facilities enabled many badly damaged ships to be expeditiously placed back into active service and contributed materially to the ability of many fleet units to carry out extended offensive operations against the enemy. The extraordinary ability, perseverance, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bell reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.