World War II Honoree

Harry Homer Bell, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Honored By

Pearl Thomas

He joined the U.S. Army in 1943 and was sent to the 106th division at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. After field maneuvers, his division was sent overseas to France, then through Belgium to the front lines in the Ardennes Forest in Germany. Soon thereafter, Germany began their offensive known as Battle of the Bulge. After three days of fighting, his unit was surrounded and captured. He and others were sent to Stalag 9b in Bad Orb, Germany. He, along with many other Prisoners of war were liberated in the spring of 1945 and returned to the United States. He was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia until discharge at Camp Shelby, Mississippi in December of 1945.