World War II Honoree

William Everette Bell

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Midlothian, Virginia

Honored By

Michael and Cheryl Bell

Relationship

Son and Daughter-in-Law

SGT. BELL WAS INDUCTED AT CAMP LEE, VA. ON 2 JULY 1943. FOLLOWING BASIC TRAINING, HE WAS SENT TO THE PACIFIC THEATRE, WHERE HE SERVED AS A TANK COMMANDER (2736) WITH THE 193RD BATTALION DURING THE BATTLE OF OKINAWA. HE NEVER TALKED ABOUT THE WAR, OTHER THAN TO SAY 'IT WAS HELL -- LITTLE KIDS WOULD WALK UP TO US AND EXPLODE, BECAUSE THE JAPANESE HAD STRAPPED BOMBS TO THEIR BACKS.' BILL WAS AWARDED THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC SERVICE MEDAL WITH ONE BRONZE SERVICE STAR. [INFORMATION FROM WD AGO 53-55: 31 JANUARY 1946]