Rank and Organization: Private, Troop H, 10th U.S. Cavalry. Place and Date: At Tayabacoa, Cuba, 30 June 1898. Entered Service At: Washington, D.C. Birth: Washington, D.C. Date of Issue: 23 June 1899.

CITATION:

Voluntarily went ashore in the face of the enemy and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades; this after several previous attempts at rescue had been frustrated.

Spanish-American War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Served during the War with Spain in the United States Army as a Private in Troop H, 10th United States Cavalry. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at Tayabacoa, Cuba, on June 30, 1898. His citation reads "Voluntarily went ashore in the face of the enemy and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades; this after several previous attempts at rescue had been frustrated". His Medal was awarded on June 23, 1899. He was one of five soldiers from the 10th US, an all-African American regiment, to be awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery during the Spanish-American War (the others being Sergeant Major Edward L. Baker Jr., Private Fitz Lee, Private William H. Thompkins, and Private George H. Wanton). (bio by: Russ Dodge)

Birth: Dec. 28, 1866
Washington
District of Columbia
District Of Columbia, USA

Death: Sep. 25, 1953

Buried: Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington
Arlington County
Virginia, USA
Plot: Section 31, Lot 349

_On June 30, 1898 a recon element was landed at Tayacoba, Cuba. This small element came under heavy fire and tried to return to their transport ships, only to find that enemy fire had destroyed their small landing boats. Surrounded and outnumbered, they were at the mercy of the enemy. Four rescue efforts were mounted, all unsuccessful. When darkness fell, Private Bell and three other members of the 10th US Cavalry volunteered to land in a small boat to attempt a rescue. Despite almost immediate enemy fire, the four soldiers worked their way through the jungle to locate all members still surviving, directing them to the beach and then returning with them to the transport ship.

(Others involved in this action: Fitz Lee, William Thompkins, George Wanton)_

African American Soldiers Awarded Medal of Honor

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