Bernard Pious Bell

Bernard Pious Bell (29 December 1911 – January 1971) was a United States Army soldier who later attained the rank of warrant officer. His exceptional courage and leadership during the Second World War earned him the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star. Serving with Company I, 142nd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, Bell distinguished himself during the fighting to liberate eastern France in the closing months of 1944.

Born in Grantsville, West Virginia, Bell entered the United States Army in August 1942 from New York City. By late 1944, he was serving as a Technical Sergeant as the 36th Infantry Division advanced through the Vosges and Alsace regions against determined German resistance.

On 5 December 1944, near Sélestat, France, Bell earned the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism. When enemy soldiers firing from a strongly defended building halted his unit’s advance, Bell moved forward alone under fire and forced the occupants to surrender. He then led his men against a German-held factory complex, helping capture the position and more than eighty prisoners. His aggressive leadership broke the resistance facing his platoon and allowed the advance to continue.

Thirteen days later, on 18 December 1944 at Mittelwihr, France, Technical Sergeant Bell led an eight-man squad of Company I, 142nd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in the actions for which he received the Medal of Honor. Bell and his men attacked a German-held schoolhouse, captured enemy guards and compelled dozens of German soldiers to surrender. They then defended the position against repeated counterattacks by a much larger enemy force.

Across three calendar days, from 18 through 20 December, Bell repeatedly exposed himself to artillery, mortar and small-arms fire. He repaired damaged communication lines, directed supporting armour and moved among his men to organize the defence and maintain their confidence. His eight-man squad repelled an estimated 150 German soldiers, killing at least 87 and capturing 42. Bell was personally credited with killing more than twenty enemy soldiers and capturing thirty-three.

President Harry S. Truman presented Bell with the Medal of Honor at the White House on 23 August 1945. His citation recognized his outstanding courage, determined leadership and willingness to place himself in extreme danger while defending the schoolhouse at Mittelwihr.

Bell left the Army after the war with the rank of warrant officer and later worked for the Veterans Administration, continuing to serve former military personnel in civilian life. He died in January 1971 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His decorations and wartime record preserve the legacy of a soldier whose courage under fire and leadership of a small, isolated squad earned him the United States’ highest military honour.