World War II Honoree

Otis C. Bell

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Ellenton, Georgia

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH COMPANY H, 2ND BATTALION, 290TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 75TH INFANTRY DIVISION. PARTICIPATED IN THE RHINELAND AND ARDENNES-ALSACE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE) CAMPAIGNS. HIS REGIMENT LANDED IN FRANCE ON DECEMBER 13, 1944 AND WAS RUSHED TO THE FRONT TO DEFEND AGAINST THE GERMAN ARDENNES COUNTEROFFENSIVE THAT BEGAN ON DECEMBER 16, 1944. HIS REGIMENT WAS ATTACHED TO THE 3RD ARMORED DIVISION FROM DECEMBER 23-31, 1944 AND INITIALLY ENTERED DEFENSIVE POSITIONS NEAR HOTTON, BELGIUM AND THEN TOOK PART IN THE ATTACK TO TAKE GRANDMENIL, BELGIUM ON DECEMBER 25-26, 1944. AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, PURPLE HEART, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.