World War II Honoree

Elvin Bell

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Jamaica, New York

Honored By

Richard E. Miller

ONE OF THE FIVE ENLISTED MEN OUT OF THE 2,000 PLUS CREW MEMBERS ON THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS LEXINGTON CV-2 TO RECEIVE THE NEWLY CREATED NAVY AND MARINE CORPS MEDAL. THEN MESS ATTENDANT 3RD CLASS BELL WAS ALSO THE FIRST MEMBER OF THE MESSMAN BRANCH AND THE FIRST SAILOR OF AFRICAN DESCENT TO RECEIVE THE AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED HEROISM WHILE SERVING ABOARD THE USS LEXINGTON DURING THE BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA ON MAY 8, 1942. VOLUNTARILY JOINED A REPAIR PARTY FIGHTING FIRE IN AN AREA FREQUENTED BY VIOLENT EXPLODINGS OF GASOLINE VAPOR AND AMMUNITION. HE ENTERED THE MOST DANGEROUS SECTION OF THE STRICKEN CARRIER AND ASSISTED IN REMOVING INJURED PERSONNEL WHO HAD BEEN TRAPPED BELOW DECKS.