World War II Honoree

Leonard Bell, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Piggott, Arkansas

Honored By

Lt Col David Bell, USAF

Relationship

Son

AFTER BASIC TRAINING AND JUMP SCHOOL, PRIVATE BELL JOINED THE 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION AND SHIPPED OFF TO ENGLAND IN 1944. IN JUNE (AFTER D-DAY), HE BOARDED A GLIDER WITH HIS FELLOW SOLDIERS AND FLEW TO THE LANDING ZONE IN BELGIUM. HE FOUGHT WITH HIS GROUP AS THE ARMY GAINED A FOOTHOLD IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM. AFTER A WHILE, HE RETURNED TO ENGLAND FOR WELL-DESERVED REST, BUT A SHORT TIME LATER HE WAS ORDERED BACK TO THE FIGHTING. AFTER SURVIVING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, HE CONTINUED WITH THE 82ND AS IT PUSHED TO BERLIN. WHEN THE WAR WAS OVER, HE RETURNED TO THE UNITED STATES AND WHILE IN NEW YORK CITY THE DIVISION PARTICIPATED IN A TICKER TAPE PARADE.