The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Van Daley Bell, Jr. (MCSN: 0-44563), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Commanding Officer, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in the Republic of Vietnam on 6 June 1966. Lieutenant Colonel Bell led a small complement consisting of himself, ten Marines and three Ontos deep into enemy controlled territory to personally take charge of one of his platoons that was heavily engaged in enemy fire. Arriving on the scene with the battle still in progress, he immediately employed the fire of the Ontos to suppress the enemy fire and called in artillery fire inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy and causing them to withdraw. He then proceeded through extremely hazardous terrain to visit Company B, which had recently established a patrol base well within the enemy stronghold. En route, one of the Ontos ran out of fuel, causing the small group to be stranded adjacent to the enemy-controlled village of Phong Ho (2). Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he immediately established a hasty defense and called for fuel resupply by helicopter. The helicopter arrived with the fuel and as it began to depart, the landing zone was attacked with heavy enemy small-arms fire. Lieutenant Colonel Bell directed the fire of his small unit to suppress the enemy fire and protect the helicopter. Almost simultaneously, the small unit was brought under a withering hail of small arms and automatic weapons fire from three sides in an all out effort by the enemy to annihilate the small group. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he moved from Ontos to Ontos pinpointing targets and encouraging his men. With full knowledge of the risk involved, he elected to keep the enemy engaged rather than withdraw while he maneuvered a platoon from more than a mile away to trap the enemy. This valiant and daring action was a resounding success and resulted in over thirty enemy killed and the capture of sixteen weapons. With darkness drawing near, Lieutenant Colonel Bell elected to return to his Command Post. At a point located two miles from friendly units, the lead Ontos hit an enemy mine, totally destroying it and causing severe injuries to Lieutenant Colonel Bell and three other Marines. Again the enemy brought the group under fire and although in considerable pain, he gallantly rallied his small remaining force of seven, and once more repelled an enemy attack. Upon sighting the relief column and realizing that the safety of the remainder of his group was assured, he calmly called in a helicopter and directed the evacuation of himself and the other wounded Marines. Through his dynamic leadership, inspiring valor and loyal devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Bell reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Navy Cross
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelAction Date:
January 29, 1967 – July 5, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Van Daley Bell, Jr. (MCSN: 0-44563), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, First Battalion, First Marines from 6 June 1967 to 5 June 1967 and as Executive Officer, First Marines from 6 June to 5 July 1967, in the Republic of Vietnam. Exhibiting great competency, resourcefulness and wisdom, Lieutenant Colonel Bell led his Battalion into combat during such major operations as STONE, CANYON and UNION with unqualified success. In addition to major operations, Lieutenant Colonel Bell consistently deployed his unit to exploit enemy contacts and effectively controlled an area of over 50 square miles. Under Lieutenant Colonel Bell’s aggressive and inspiring leadership, the First Battalion, First Marines killed 911 Viet Cong and captured an additional 399. By his own bold actions, fierce fighting spirit and inspiring leadership, Lieutenant Colonel Bell instilled in the Marines of his Battalion a high esprit de corps and an eagerness to close with the enemy. Lieutenant Colonel Bell established an excellent working relationship with local Republic of Vietnam Government Officials and significantly contributed to increasing the effectiveness of the employment of Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces within his Tactical Area of Responsibility by working closely with those forces in all aspects of operations. Lieutenant Colonel Bell’s contributions to the Revolutionary Development Program was instrumental in the program’s rapid growth and expansion within his area of responsibility. Under Lieutenant Colonel Bell’s outstanding leadership, the First Battalion freed more than 1,200 Vietnamese families from Viet Cong dominated territory and during one operation relocated more than 1,800 civilians to safe areas. As Regimental Executive Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Bell continued to exhibit a high degree of professionalism, and his exceptional knowledge of operations, combined with experience gained from direct confrontation with the enemy, contributed immeasurably to the effectiveness of the Regiment. By his aggressive leadership, outstanding professional ability and selfless devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Bell upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Colonel Bell is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
1st MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMFAction Date:
February 18 – 22, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Van Daley Bell, Jr. (MCSN: 0-44563), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Commanding Officer, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, from 18 to 22 February 1967, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. During Operation STONE, Lieutenant Colonel Bell skillfully led his battalion as part of a regimental size search and clear force. As the operation drew to a close, south of the Song Ky Lam River, he was assigned the mission of crossing the river to continue operations to the north where an enemy force of estimated battalion strength was located. During the night of 18 February, Lieutenant Colonel Bell expeditiously and efficiently displaced his battalion across the river in rubber boats and positioned his companies and command post without being detected. Realizing that his men were exhausted, having been continuously on the attack since 12 February, he personally visited each company to boost morale for the final phase of the operation. With complete disregard for his own safety, he traveled over mined terrain during darkness to reassure and encourage his men. At first light on 19 February, Lieutenant Colonel Bell repositioned his forces to provide flexibility in the subsequent assault. An initial sighting of Viet Cong was followed by additional sightings that confirmed the presence of an enemy battalion. Skillfully and aggressively maneuvering his unit, he encircled the enemy, preventing their escape. When helicopters which were to displace his command post were delayed by adverse weather, he immediately advanced 4,000 meters on foot to rejoin the assault companies. En route, the command group came under enemy sniper fire from two sides. Reacting swiftly, Lieutenant Colonel Bell waved off the helicopters, which had just arrived, directed effective supporting arms fire to suppress the snipers and continued to move his command post forward. Exhibiting outstanding military skill and fighting spirit, he then directed the destruction of the trapped enemy. Inspired by his bold leadership, daring and courageous actions, Lieutenant Colonel Bell’s unit killed 222 Viet Cong and captured sixty-four prisoners, thus destroying the effectiveness of the enemy unit as a fighting force. His selfless and heroic actions were instrumental in the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his dauntless courage, fearless leadership and loyal devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Bell upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
7th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.)Action Date:
April 25, 1951
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Van Daley Bell, Jr. (MCSN: 0-44563), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader of Company B, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea, on 25 April 1951. With his platoon fighting a rear guard action to permit the withdrawal of the remainder of the company, First Lieutenant Bell, repeatedly exposing himself to enemy close range small-arms and machine-gun fire, coordinated an deployed his squads to successfully repulse a fanatical hostile attack. When ordered to displace his platoon and rejoining the company, he skillfully broke contact with the enemy and effected a rapid movement to the new position. Informed that one of his men had been missing for almost an hour, he immediately turned his command over to the platoon sergeant and, after retracing the rout e to the old position and finding the missing Marine who was wounded and unable to move, carried him a distance of 400 yards to safety while exposed to hostile observation and steadily increasing sniper fire. By his courageous leadership, daring initiative and selfless devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Bell served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
7th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.)Action Date:
May 29, 1951
Authority: Board of Awards: Serial 234 (April 3, 1952)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Van Daley Bell, Jr. (MCSN: 0-44563), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Executive Officer of Company B, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Hwach’on, Korea, on 29 May 1951. Accompanying the reserve platoon during the initial phase of his company’s assault against a series of strongly defended hostile positions on a steep, rocky ridgeline, First Lieutenant Bell was quick to act when the leading elements suddenly came under devastating automatic weapons and small-arms fire and the platoon leader and several men became casualties. Moving quickly forward through the intense barrage, he assumed command of the disorganized platoon and, effecting a prompt and skillful reorganization, spearheaded an attack to neutralize three enemy bunkers in succession. Blown from his feet and painfully wounded by a bursting grenade upon reaching the fourth, heavily fortified emplacement, he succeeded in regaining his feet and, although partially blinded from facial wounds, led a final charge to capture the hill. Refusing medical attention, he continued at the head of his platoon to another ridge in pursuit of the fleeing enemy and, although wounded in the leg during the advance, personally directed machine-gun fire on the remaining hostile positions to the front, staunchly refusing assistance until the position had been consolidated. By his valiant leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and tenacious perseverance in the face of tremendous odds, First Lieutenant Bell served as an inspiration to all who observed him, and his selfless devotion to duty throughout the bitter action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.