Harry Bell (September 21, 1860 – November 10, 1938) was a United States Army Captain received the Medal of Honor for actions during October 17, 1899, during the Philippine–American War for leading a charge against a superior number of the enemy.
Harry Bell | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 21, 1860 Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Died | November 10, 1938 (aged 78) Cook County, Illinois |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 36th U.S. Volunteer Infantry |
| Battles / wars | Spanish–American War Philippine–American War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Biography
editHarry Bell was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Adam Bell and Katherina Matilda (Boettinger) Bell.
In 1899 he was living in Minneapolis, Minnesota when joined the 36th United States Volunteer Infantry and was promoted to the rank of captain. The regiment was posted to the Philippines the same year.
On October 17, 1899 he engaged in the action at Porac on the island of Luzon, for which he later received the Medal of Honor.
After leaving the Army, he married Kate Reimers on 3 August 1904 in Davenport, Iowa and they had 3 sons.[1]
As of 1910 he worked at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas where he was a signals electrician and, as of 1920, he was the chief clerk of the military prison there. In 1911, he published a translation of military correspondence from the Franco-German War by Helmuth von Moltke. By 1930 he had separated from his wife and was working as a government clerk in Columbus, Ohio.[1][2]
He was living in Proviso Township, Cook County, Illinois where he died in 1938 at the age of 78.[1]
Bell is buried in the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.[3]
Medal of Honor citation
editRank and Organization: Captain, 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers. Place and Date: Near Porac, Luzon, Philippine Islands, October 17, 1899. Entered Service At: Minneapolis, Minn. Born: September 21, 1860, Milwaukee, Wis. Date of Issue: March 8, 1902.
Citation:
Led a successful charge against a superior force, capturing and dispersing the enemy and relieving other members of his regiment from a perilous position.[4]
See also
edit
Notes
edit- ^ a b c "Harry Bell Bio" (PDF). minnesotamedalofhonormemorial.org. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ von Moltke, Helmuth (1911). Extracts from Moltke's correspondence pertaining to the war 1870-71. Translated by Bell, Harry. Fort Leavenworth, Kas.: The Army Service Schools Press.
- ^ vconline.org.uk
- ^ "Harry Bell, Medal of Honor recipient". Philippine Insurrection. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on April 20, 2008. Retrieved December 1, 2007.
References
edit- "Harry Bell, Medal of Honor recipient". Philippine Insurrection. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on April 20, 2008. Retrieved December 1, 2007.
- "Photo of Grave site of MOH Recipient Harry Bell at www.homeofheroes.com Home of Heroes Gravesite". Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- "Home of Heroes Citation". Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- von Moltke, Helmuth (1911). Extracts from Moltke's correspondence pertaining to the war 1870-71. Translated by Bell, Harry. Fort Leavenworth, Kas.: The Army Service Schools Press.