Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
World War II - U.S. Army
Bernard Pious Bell
Details
- Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Conflict/Era: World War II
- Unit/Command:
Company I, 142d Infantry,
36th Infantry Division - Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
- Medal of Honor Action Date: December 18, 1944
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Mittelwihr, France
Citation
For fighting gallantly at Mittelwihr, France. On the morning of 18 December 1944, he led a squad against a schoolhouse held by enemy troops. While his men covered him, he dashed toward the building, surprised two guards at the door, and took them prisoner without firing a shot. He found that other Germans were in the cellar. These he threatened with hand grenades, forcing 26 in all to emerge and surrender. His squad then occupied the building and prepared to defend it against powerful enemy action. The next day, the enemy poured artillery and mortar barrages into the position, disrupting communications which TSgt. Bell repeatedly repaired under heavy small-arms fire as he crossed dangerous terrain to keep his company commander informed of his squad's situation. During the day, several prisoners were taken and other Germans killed when hostile forces were attracted to the schoolhouse by the sound of captured German weapons fired by the Americans. At dawn the next day the enemy prepared to assault the building. A German tank fired round after round into the structure, partially demolishing the upper stories. Despite this heavy fire, TSgt. Bell climbed to the second floor and directed artillery fire which forced the hostile tank to withdraw. He then adjusted mortar fire on large forces of enemy foot soldiers attempting to reach the American position and, when this force broke and attempted to retire, he directed deadly machine-gun and rifle fire into their disorganized ranks. Calling for armored support to blast out the German troops hidden behind a wall, he unhesitatingly exposed himself to heavy small-arms fire to stand beside a friendly tank and tell its occupants where to rip holes in walls protecting approaches to the school building. He then trained machine guns on the gaps and mowed down all hostile troops attempting to cross the openings to get closer to the school building. By his intrepidity and bold, aggressive leadership, TSgt. Bell enabled his eight-man squad to drive back approximately 150 of the enemy, killing at least 87 and capturing 42. Personally, he killed more than 20 and captured 33 prisoners.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: New York, New York
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Presentation Date & Details: August 23, 1945
The White House, presented by Pres. Harry S. Truman - Born: December 29, 1911, Grantsville, Calhoun County, WV, United States
- Died: January 11, 1971, Delano, FL, United States
- Buried: Arlington National Cemetery (MH) (25-3840), Arlington, VA, United States
- Location of Medal: Mason County Public Library, Mason City, WV