World War II Honoree

Joseph Thomas Bell

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Pittsburg, Kansas

Honored By

Family

PLATOON SERGEANT. WAS IN CHARGE OF 38 MEN IN AN INFANTRY PLATOON. DIRECTED AND CONTROLLED FIRE OF PLATOON AGAINST ENEMY PERSONNEL. ASSISTED IN CAPTURING AND HOLDING ENEMY POSITIONS. DIRECTED TACTICAL EMPLOYMENT OF PLATOON AGAINST ENEMY FORCES. DIRECTED DIRECT AND INDIREDT FIRE UPON ENEMY AND PORTIONS OF ENEMY LINE. CHANGED EMPLOYMENT OF PLATOON AS SITUATION DEMANDED. WAS RESPONSIBLE TO PLATOON LEADER FOR OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE METHODS OF PLATOON. TRAINED PLATOON IN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF NATURAL COVER, AND CONCEALMENT, SIGNALS, OF ARMS AND HANDS, ENTRENCHING, AND RECONGITION OF ENEMY PERSONNEL, AIRCRAFT AND VEHICLES AND OTHER SUCH TECHNIQUES VALUABLE IN COMBAT. PERFORMED ALL OTHER DUTIES OF PLATOON SERGEANT. DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS: WORLD WAR II VICTORY RIBBON; GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL; AMERICAN THEATER RIBBON; EAME THEATER RIBBON AND TWO BRONZE SERVICE STARS; PURPLE HEART (WOUNDED APRIL 14, 1945 IN GERMANY) GO 87 HQ 21ST GEN HOSP 45; DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE GO 137 HQ 1ST US INF DIV 45.