Joe Bell

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Joe Bell, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 16th Company, 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action near Chateau-Thierry, France, June 23, 1918. After becoming separated from his own platoon, Sergeant Bell attached himself to another platoon of the company, and learning that all the runners who had attempted to carry important messages had been killed or wounded, immediately volunteered and made several trips across an open area subjected to a continuous and intense barrage of artillery and machine-gun fire. Sergeant Bell performed this important mission despite the fact that he was almost exhausted when he joined the platoon.

The Navy Cross is presented to Joe Bell, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 16th Company, 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action near Chateau- Thierry, France, June 23, 1918. After becoming separated from his own platoon, Sergeant Bell attached himself to another platoon of the company, and learning that all the runners who had attempted to carry important messages had been killed or wounded, immediately volunteered and made several trips across an open area subjected to a continuous and intense barrage of artillery and machine-gun fire. Sergeant Bell performed this important mission despite the fact that he was almost exhausted when he joined the platoon.