World War II Honoree

Melvin Kealoha Bell

Branch of Service

U.S. Coast Guard

Hometown

Honolulu, Hawaii

Honored By

Robert Bell

Relationship

Son

PEARL HARBOR VETERAN; HE REPORTED FOR DUTY AS RADIOMAN 2ND CLASS AT DIAMOND HEAD RADIO STATION ON DECEMBER 7, 1941, HOURS BEFORE THE FIRST JAPANESE PLANES APPEARED. AT THE FIRST REPORT OF HOSTILE ACTION, HE ALERTED ALL COMMERCIAL SHIPS AT SEA BY CODE TRANSMISSION ON LOW BAND FREQUENCY. HE WAS SELECTED BY HIS COMMAND TO REPORT TO NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS INTELLIGENCE, WHERE HE LEARNED, MONITORED, COPIED AND INTERPRETED JAPANESE NAVAL CODES. HE WAS PART OF THE BRANCH WHICH BROKE THE CODE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE U.S. VICTORY AT MIDWAY. ADEPT AS A CODE-BREAKER, HE WAS PROMOTED TO CHIEF PETTY OFFICER AND LATER ASSIGNED TO THE EAST COAST WHERE HE MONITORED GERMAN CODE TRANSMISSIONS.