THE WALL OF FACES

Dear PFC Christopher Hiawatha Bell, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

Bell, yesterday i made the 3 hr trip to New Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery in Clinton, NC to view your final resting place among family members, very nice church stand on well manicured lawns. It was high noon as stood there alone and recalled back 45 yrs ago on the day you left us,many more would follow you, Gross,Overshine,

Holeyfield, Anderson,Rainwater,

Purcell,Ragsdale,Walker,Sutton and many more. it still hurts after all these years, you and the rest all always in my thoughts, What you did that day ,No greater love has any man than to lay down his life for another, you will be my brother in combat forever, will visit again God willing.

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PRIVATE FIRST CLASS



CHRISTOPHER HIAWATHA BELL





served with





COMPANY C



2nd BATTALION ( AIRBORNE )



502nd INFANTRY REGIMENT



" THE DUECE "



1st BRIGADE



101st AIRBORNE DIVISION



" THE SCREAMING EAGLES "





and was a posthumous recipient of the





DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS



PURPLE HEART



NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL



VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL



REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM CAMPAIGN SERVICE MEDAL





in addition he was entitled to wear the





COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE



and



ARMY PARACHUTIST WINGS











THE PROUD YOUNG VALOR THAT ROSE ABOVE THE MORTAL

AND THEN, AT LAST, WAS MORTAL AFTER ALL











YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN



NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE











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CITATION FOR POSTHUMOUS AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS



The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross ( Posthumously ) to Christopher Hiawatha Bell, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 502d Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Private First Class Bell distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during a search and destroy mission in enemy territory. Realizing the danger of the mission, Private Bell volunteered to be point man in place of his less experienced comrades. He came upon a fork in the trail, stopped the platoon and moved forward alone. He suddenly opened fire, killing an enemy soldier on the trail. The platoon was immediately pinned down by a vicious hail of enemy automatic weapons fire from at least three positions. Private Bell, trapped in front of the platoon, began placing a heavy volume of effective counterfire on the insurgents, allowing his platoon leader to deploy the lead squad. The enemy fire became so intense that the squad was soon immobilized as it tried to maneuver against the insurgents. Realizing the precarious situation that was rapidly developing, Private Bell quickly went into action. He secured hand grenades from his rucksack, and began to crawl through the murderous barrage toward the enemy bunker putting out the heaviest volume of firepower. As he neared the position, he exposed himself to the fusillade to throw a grenade which destroyed the bunker and killed its occupants. The platoon was still receiving heavy automatic weapons fire, so he moved toward a second bunker and destroyed it with hand grenades. The platoon then began receiving fire from a position to its left flank, and Private Bell began moving towards the source. Once in range, he rose to throw a grenade and was struck by a burst of automatic weapons fire which knocked him to the ground. Ignoring his wound and completely disregarding his safety, he got to his feet and rushed forward. He was struck twice more by a burst from the enemy machine gun, but he continued to charge until he was close enough to throw a grenade into the bunker, destroying it. Private First Class Bell's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.







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R E M E M B R A N C E