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Home Town Fargo, North Dakota
Date of Passing Jul 09, 2005
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DAVID BONAR BELL
WWII Navy Cross Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy
David B. Bell graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1937. He retired as a Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy IN 1970.
Navy Cross Awarded for actions during World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Commander David Bonar Bell (NSN: 0-78628), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. PARGO (SS-264), a United States Submarine, during the EIGHTH war patrol of that vessel in the enemy-controlled waters of the Sea of Japan, during the period 14 July 1945 through 9 September 1945. With great daring and heroic actions, fully realizing the many dangers involved. Commander Bell courageously took his submarine through strong anti-submarine barriers and into the Sea of Japan. Boldly attacking heavily escorted enemy convoys he launched torpedo attacks which resulted in the sinking and damaging of over 11,000 tons of enemy shipping. Through his experience and sound judgment Commander Bell brought his ship safely back to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander Submarine Force Pacific: Serial 02475 (October 10, 1945)
Action Date: July 14 - September 9, 1945
Rank: Commander
Company: Commanding Officer,U.S.S. Pargo (SS-264)
Navy Cross Awarded for actions during World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander David Bonar Bell (NSN: 0-78628), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. PARGO (SS-264), a United States Submarine, during the SEVENTH war patrol of that vessel from 15 January 1945 through 24 March 1945. Commander Bell's skillfully planned approaches and courageous attacks resulted in sinking extensive enemy shipping. In addition, he successfully conducted several special missions of great importance. Through his experience and sound judgment Lieutenant Commander Bell brought his ship safely back to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet: Serial 04029 (May 6, 1945)
Action Date: January 15 - March 24, 1945
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Company: Commanding Officer,U.S.S. Pargo (SS-264)
Silver Star Awarded for actions during World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander David Bonar Bell (NSN: 0-78628), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Officer-of-the-Deck of the U.S.S. PARGO (SS-264), during the FIRST War Patrol of that submarine in enemy Japanese-controlled waters. Alert and aggressive, Commander's Bell's capable handling of situations as they developed greatly assisted his Commanding Officer in the sinking of 27,500 tons and the damaging of an additional 9,500 tons of enemy shipping. His forceful leadership, skill and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Pacific Fleet Board Awards: Serial 63
Action Date: August 18 - October 6, 1943
Rank: Commander, U.S.S. Pargo (SS-264)
Navy and Marine Corps Medal Awarded for actions during World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant David Bonar Bell (NSN: 0-78628), United States Navy, for extremely heroic and courageous conduct as Officer-of-the-Deck of the U.S.S. CUTTLEFISH (SS-171), during a highly successful submarine war patrol in 1942 which resulted in the sinking of 29,600 tons of enemy Japanese shipping. Constantly vigilant, Lieutenant Bell sighted a 19,600-ton enemy tanker during the mid-watch and by expert maneuvering enabled the CUTTLEFISH to sink this valuable vessel. His skill and conspicuous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander, Submarine Force Pacific: Serial 02475 (October 10, 1945)
Action Date: World War II
Rank: Lieutenant, U.S.S. Cuttlefish (SS-171)
Other Comments:
Bell made Three War Patrols on the USS Cuttlefish SS-171 before commissioning the USS Pargo SS-264
and making Eight more War Patrols. A total of Eleven War Patrols.
Bell received: Two Navy Crosses, Two Silver Stars , the Navy and Marine Corps Medal,
and Three Bronze Stars with combat 'V's.
David B. Bell, Navy Rear Admiral
Date
Not Specified
Last Updated: Jun 15, 2010
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David B. Bell, Navy Rear Admiral
David B. Bell, 92, a retired Navy rear admiral who twice during World War II received the Navy Cross, the branch's second-highest medal for extraordinary heroism, died July 9 of congestive heart failure at Ginger Cove assisted living facility in Annapolis.
Adm. Bell was awarded his Navy Crosses while serving in the Pacific as commanding officer of the submarine USS Pargo in 1945.
The citation for the first Navy Cross states that Adm. Bell, then a lieutenant commander, directed the submarine in a special three-day mission that greatly assisted Allied navies in clearing an area in Japanese enemy waters. The Pargo sank hostile ships, then avoided two severe depth-charge attacks before returning safely to port.
In a subsequent war patrol, for which Adm. Bell received the gold star denoting a second award, the submarine penetrated anti-submarine barriers in the Sea of Japan, where it launched torpedo attacks against heavily escorted Japanese convoys, sinking two freighters and damaging two others.
His duties after World War II included commands of two other submarines, flag secretary to the commander of submarines in the Atlantic Fleet, submarine detail officer in the Bureau of Naval Personnel and commander of Submarine Division 62 and Submarine Squadron Six.
In the 1960s, he served as commodore of Submarine Squadron 14 in Holy Loch, Scotland, and as Supreme Allied Deputy Commander Atlantic for NATO. He appeared to be in line for the post of commander of the submarine fleet in the Pacific in 1968 when he had a heart attack.
He finished his tour with the chief of naval operations staff at the Pentagon, then served as deputy commandant of academic affairs at the National War College at Fort Meade. He retired from active military duty in 1970.
Adm. Bell, who lived in Annapolis since 1991, was born in Fargo, N.D., and raised in Washington, where he attended Central High School, Columbian Preparatory School and George Washington University. As a young man, he served as a fireman in the Naval Reserve.
He entered the Naval Academy in Annapolis in 1934, served as captain of the fencing team and graduated in 1937. He also received a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Annapolis. He served on battleships before transferring to the submarine fleet.
In addition to the Navy Cross with gold star, his military decorations include the Silver Star and Bronze Star.
In recent years, Adm. Bell belonged to St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Annapolis and attended Naval Academy functions, sailed and traveled abroad.
His wife, Mary Elizabeth Bell, died in 1985.
Survivors include his wife of four years, Margaret Bomar Bell of Annapolis; two children from his first marriage, Ann Bell Layman of Daleville, Va., and William Bonar Bell of Oakton; four stepchildren, Patricia Ray Nalley of Annapolis and Lycille Ray Stabler, Thomas D. Ray III and Edward Bomar Ray, all of Birmingham, Ala.; and 13 grandchildren.