Evening star., 1927-12-05
FOURTH j. S. ARMY
MAN WON HONORS
Three Major Decorations
Also Bestowed on Gen.
J. Franklin Bell.

A search of War Department
records has revealed fourth Ameri-
can soldier who was awarded Uncle
Sans three ma jor decorations-the
Congressional Medal of Honor, the
Distinguished Service Cross ana the
DISTINGUISHED Service Medal. He was
Mai. Gen. J. Franklin Bell, who died
January s, 1919, at New York CltN'
Two of the three survivors. Col. VIII
liam ]. Donovan, Assistant TO the Al
tornev General, and Col. Charles r..
kilbourne, live in Washington. ihe
third hero, Lieut.. Col. Gordon Johh-
ston, is stationed at Fort Riley. Rams
In the case of Gen. Bell. the DIS
tinsuished Service Cross anu the DIS
tinguished Service Medal were
Col Bells widow, Mrs. Sarah Bell,
residing at the Westmoreland Apart
ments. 2122 California street, has the
nine medals and four silver star ci-
tations awarded this gallant soldier,
whose service extended from Indian
War days. through Cuba and the
PHILIPPINES, and with the American
Expeditionary Force in France. ana
who had also been twice honored
with the post of chief-of-staff, in adj
dition to the other important details
entrusted to him.
Citation for valor.
Bell won the Congressional Medal
of Honor for a deed performed near
Porac, Luzon, P. l., September g.,
1899. when colonel OF the 36th In
fanlry, u. S. Voluteers. The War De-
partment citation thus describes it:
'.While in advance of his regiment
charged seven insurgents with his
pistol and compelled the surrender
of the captain and two privates un-
der a close fire from the remaining
insurgents concealed in bamboo
thicket."
The citation telling of Gen. Bell.
valor, for which he won the Distin-
guished Service Cross, reads: Maj,
Bell, with utter disregard for his
personal safety. conducted bold ana
daring reconnaissance of the creek in
front of Fort San Antonio de Aba,
held by Spanish forces, and ascel
tained not only that it was fordable,
but the exact width Of the ford al
the beach, and. swimming in the bay
to a point from which he could exam
inc the Spanish line from the rear.
secured information which facilitated
the planning of the successful attack
of August Is, 1889, on Manila. P. l."
This deed was performed when he
was major engineer officer. U. S.
Volunteers. in action against Spanish
forces at Manila. P. l., August 10
1898. The medal was presented to his
widow by the War Department.
The citation for the award of the
Distinguished Service Medal to Gen
Bell reads: For exceptionally meri.
torio11S and DISTINGUISHED sarx,ico r5,,r
ing the war as division, cantonment
and department commander" This
medal. for his World War service, was
likewise presented to his widow.
Other Citations.
Gen. Bell was awarded medals for
participation in Indian and Cuban
campaigns, and France awarded him
a Legion of Honor (commander) deco
ration. The War Department pos.
thumously awarded him four Silver
Star citations on June s, 1924, as fol-
lows:
First, For gallantry in action against
insurgent forces at Tuliahan River,
Luzon, P. l.. March 25, 1898.
Second, For gallantry in action
against insurgent forces at Marilao
River. Luzon, P. L., March 27, 1899.
Third, For gallantry in action
against insurgent forces at Santo
Tomas. Luzon, p. L.. May 4, 1899.
Fourth. For gallantry in action
against insurgent forces at San Fer
nando, Luzon. P. T.. May ~. 1899.
Although the recent District Com.
missioner, Lieut.. Col. ]. franklin Hell,
had the same name rs the general,
they were not closely related.