World War II Honoree

David J. Bell

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Madison, Tennessee

Honored By

Jan Bell

Relationship

Daughter

HE ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AND TRAINED AS A CRYPTOGRAPHIC TECHNICIAN. HE SERVED IN THE PACIFIC THEATER IN THE 1ST CAVALRY DIVISION, 1ST SIGNAL TROOP. HIS OVERSEAS SERVICE BEGAN IN JULY 1943 IN BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA. THERE HE BEGAN USING THE HIGHLY SECRETIVE SIGABA FOR ENCODING AND DECODING. IN JANUARY 1944, HE WAS STATIONED IN ORO BAY, NEW GUINEA. ON FEBRUARY 29, THE 1ST CAVALRY INVADED ADMIRALTY ISLANDS. ON OCTOBER 20, 1944, THEY INVADED LEYTE, PHILIPPINES, LIBERATING VARIOUS AREAS FROM THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION. BY FEBRUARY 3, 1945, THE 1ST CAVALRY ENTERED MANILA AND RELEASED THE FIRST CIVILIAN PRISONERS OF WAR. HE WAS DISCHARGED ON DECEMBER 8, 1945, HAVING REACHED THE RANK OF STAFF SERGEANT. HE RETURNED HOME TO HIS WIFE WHOM HE HAD NOT SEEN FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS.