World War II Honoree

Robert Vernon Bell

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Abilene, Texas

Honored By

M. Carol Darnell & Richard Gaboury

Relationship

Relatives

INDUCTED INTO ARMY SERVICE AT ABILENE, TEXAS, JUNE 11, 1942, THEN SENT TO CAMP WOLTERS NEAR MINERAL WELLS, TEXAS FOR BASIC TRAINING. RECEIVED LOCKHEED-VEGA FACTORY COURSE CERTIFICATE FOR 1ST AND 2ND ECHELON MAINTENANCE FOR B-17'S, DECEMBER 16, 1942. ASSIGNED TO 234TH ARMY AIR FORCE BASE UNIT AND WAS CERTIFIED AT SHEPPARD FIELD, WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS. DECEMBER 1942 THROUGH MARCH 1943; PERMANENT ASSIGNMENT WITH 351ST BOMB GROUP (HEAVY), 508TH SQUADRON WITH SECOND PHASE OF TRAINING CONDUCTED AT BIGGS ARMY AIR FORCE FIELD, EL PASO, TEXAS. SENT TO WILLIAMS AIRDROME AT CAMP DOUGLAS, WISCONSIN AND ASSIGNED TO GROUND ECHELON FOR RIGOROUS PHYSICAL AND MENTAL TRAINING FOR LIFE EXPECTED IN COMBAT THEATER. MAY 1943; MOVED TO ROYAL AIR FORCE, POLEBROOK, ENGLAND WITH THE 'MIGHTY 8TH AIR FORCES'. EXTENDED WORK LOADS INCLUDED MANY HOURS IN REPAIR TO B-17 BOMBERS. CAMPAIGNS INCLUDED: BATTLE OF NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES (BATTLE OF THE BULGE) AND CENTRAL EUROPE (BEGINNING IN MARCH 1945 TO SUPPORT AIRBORNE ASSAULT ACROSS THE RHINE). SPENT 26 MONTHS OVERSEAS. SAILED FOR THE U.S. ON JUNE 25, 1945 ABOARD THE QUEEN ELIZABETH. ARRIVED STATESIDE JULY 1945 AND INACTIVATED AUGUST 28, 1945. AS MASTER SERGEANT, HONORABLY DISCHARGED AT FORT BLISS, EL PASO, TEXAS, SEPTEMBER 16, 1945. RECEIVED DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE (JANUARY 11, 1944 FOR PERFORMANCE), GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN THEATER MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE SERVICE STARS (FOR EUROPEAN AIR CAMPAIGNS) AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. SERIAL NUMBER: 38 133500.