Charles Arthur BellPrivate First ClassA CO, 2ND BN, 503RD INF RGT, 173 ABN BDE Army of the United States 26 March 1945 - 16 March 1966 Philadelphia, PA Panel 06E Line 013 |
 
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The database page for Charles Arthur Bell
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The following article is taken from The Philadelphia Daily News, special supplement entitled 'SIX HUNDRED AND THIRTY,' October 26, 1987. The special supplement was issued in conjunction with the dedication of the Philadelphia Viet Nam Memorial. By the time Bell graduated from St. Thomas More High School in 1964, he had earned letters in basketball, football, baseball and track. He played on the St. Joseph's College freshman team before entering the Army in August 1965. He shipped out to Viet Nam in February 1966 and was assigned to Company A of the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. The private first class, a rifleman, died near Phuoc Vinh on March 16, 1966, 10 days before his 21st birthday. Bell had been wounded earlier in the day, but continued to fight before being fatally wounded as he tried to neutralize a Viet Cong machine-gun emplacement. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. Bell was engaged to be married. He was survived by his mother, brother and two sisters.
From a native Philadelphian and Marine, Virtual Wall NoteThe 173rd Airborne Brigade was not a part of the 101st Airborne Division, but rather a separate brigade not assigned to any division. The "Sky Soldiers" of the 173rd were among the first American soldiers to arrive in Vietnam, and amongst the last to leave. |
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The point-of-contact for this memorial is a native Philadelphian and Vietnam veteran, Jim McIlhenney christianamacks@comcast.net 22 Dec 2002 |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Channing Prothro, former CAP Marine
Last updated 12/22/2002