Bell, Clifford F, MGySgt

Deceased
 
 Service Photo 
 Service Details
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Last Rank
Master Gunnery Sergeant
Last Primary MOS
521-Other duty (PFC/Private)
Primary Unit
1951-1952, 0311, 5th Marines
Service Years
1942 - 1967
Official/Unofficial USMC Certificates
Cold War Certificate
Enlisted Collar Insignia
Master Gunnery Sergeant
Six Hash Marks

 Last Photo 
 Personal Details 



Home State
North Carolina
North Carolina
Year of Birth
1925
 
The current guardian of this Remembrance Page is GySgt John Rush (MTWS Asst Chief Admin).

If you knew or served with this Marine and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE

This Remembrance Profile was originally created by Cpl Roger Rape (Mouse) - Deceased
 
Contact Info
Home Town
Caswell
Last Address
Jacksonville,NC
Date of Passing
Dec 26, 2008
 

 Official Badges 

Marine Gunner


 Unofficial Badges 


 Military Associations and Other Affiliations
Fleet Reserve Association (FRA)American LegionVeterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW)Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
  0, Fleet Reserve Association (FRA)
  0, American Legion
  0, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW)
  0, Disabled American Veterans (DAV)


 Additional Information
Last Known Activity:

Clifford F. Bell, 83, of Jacksonville, passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 26, 2008. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, at Jones Funeral Home, Jacksonville Chapel with the Rev. Thomas Davis officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will follow at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. Mr. Bell was born in Caswell, Maine to the late Frank and Yvonne Bell. He retired at Camp Lejeune as a master gunnery sergeant from the U.S. Marine Corps, after 25 years of service. He then worked 20 years civil service at Camp Lejeune. While active in the military, he received many honorable awards including the Silver Star, the Purple Heart and the Hard Corps Warrior Medal and Plaque. He was also active in the Knights of Columbus, Fleet Reserve Association, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Moose Lodge and Disabled American Veterans


MGYSGT Bell served in WW ll, Korea, and Vietnam.

He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action on Peleliu, Palua Islands on Sept 19, 1944

   
Other Comments:

"For the Family of a Fallen Marines " There will never be anything anyone can do to mitigate the loss of a loved one. All we can do is to be there. One thing to keep in mind, as high brow and prideful as it might seem, is that as a Marine, they'll never be forgotten. Individual names will fade with time, people will all leave us in time and their memories will go with them when they move on to better things. We often say of fallen Marines, that they have gone on To guard Heavens Gates or they've been transferred to Sky Pilot Command. We know where Marines go when they leave us. We drink to their memory. We remember our Brothers and Sisters. In time we will be gone, and our memories with us. Take this comfort with you as you mourn your losses. The United States Marine Corps will never be forgotten. Your Brothers and Sisters will therefore, never be forgotten. Your Sons and Daughters will never be forgotten. Your Fathers and Mothers will never be forgotten. They have passed into the legend and myth that is the United States Marine Corps. They will be remembered with the likes of Pharaohs Army, the Hordes of the Khans, Alexander's Armies, and the Legions of Rome. Other armed forces across the length of time will be remembered as being less than our equals. Your loved ones have been a part of something special. Something that cannot readily be conveyed by mere words. It is scant comfort in this present time, but it is a source of quiet pride to those who understand. A Marine will live forever. God will not abandon those who have been willing to sacrifice so much for others. Your son, and the sons and daughters of so many others will certainly never be forgotten, here on earth or before the throne of God. They are only words, but they are all I presently have to offer. Be at peace, Mother. Be at peace Father. Be you all at peace, for your family member will most certainly guarding Heavens Gates upon your own arrival there in the fullness of time. Semper Fidelis, Marine family. Be Proud. Semper-Fi! Chuck Hall DAV#16 Bingo Chuck Hall (Richlands, NC)

   


Marianas Operation /Battle of Guam (1944)
From Month/Year
July / 1944
To Month/Year
August / 1944

Description
Guam, ringed by reefs, cliffs, and heavy surf, presents a formidable challenge for an attacker. But despite the obstacles, on 21 July, the Americans landed on both sides of the Orote peninsula on the western side of Guam, planning to cut off the airfield. The 3rd Marine Division landed near Agana to the north of Orote at 08:28, and the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade landed near Agat to the south. Japanese artillery sank 20 LVTs, and inflicted heavy casualties on the Americans, especially on the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, but by 09:00 men and tanks were ashore at both beaches. The 77th Infantry Division had a more difficult landing. Lacking amphibious vehicles, they had to wade ashore from the edge of the reef where they were dropped by their landing craft. The men stationed in the two beachheads were pinned down by heavy Japanese fire, making initial progress inland quite slow.

US Marines move inland.
By nightfall, the Americans had established beachheads about 6,600 feet (2,000 m) deep.[1] Japanese counterattacks were made throughout the first few days of the battle, mostly at night, using infiltration tactics. Several times, they penetrated the American defenses and were driven back with heavy loss of men and equipment. Lieutenant General Takeshi Takashina was killed on 28 July, and Lieutenant General Hideyoshi Obata took over the command of the defenders.

Supply was very difficult[2] for the Americans in the first days of the battle. Landing ships could not come closer than the reef, several hundred yards from the beach, and amphibious vehicles were scarce. However, the two beachheads were joined up on 25 July, and the Orote airfield and Apra harbor were captured by 30 July.

The counterattacks against the American beachheads, as well as the fierce fighting, had exhausted the Japanese. At the start of August, they were running out of food and ammunition and had only a handful of tanks left. Obata withdrew his troops from the south of Guam, planning to make a stand in the mountainous central and northern part of the island. But with resupply and reinforcement impossible because of American control of the sea and air around Guam, he could hope to do no more than delay the inevitable defeat for a few days.

Rain and thick jungle made conditions difficult for the Americans, but after an engagement at Mount Barrigada from 2-4 August, the Japanese line collapsed; the rest of the battle was a pursuit to the north. As in other battles of the Pacific War, the Japanese refused to surrender, and almost all were killed. On 10 August, after three weeks of combat, organized Japanese resistance ended, and Guam was declared secure. The next day, Obata committed ritual suicide.
   
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
July / 1944
To Month/Year
August / 1944
 
Last Updated:
Mar 16, 2020
   
Personal Memories
   
Units Participated in Operation

4th Marines

1st Bn, 21st Marines (1/21)

6th Marine Division

3rd Bn, 22nd Marines (3/22)

2nd Bn, 22nd Marines (2/22)

1st Bn, 22nd Marines (1/22)

2nd Bn, 4th Marines (2/4)

3rd Bn, 4th Marines (3/4)

3rd Bn, 9th Marines (3/9)

3rd Combat Engineer Bn

2nd Bn, 21st Marines (2/21)

21st Marines

3rd Bn, 21st Marines (3/21)

2nd Separate Engineer Bn

USS PRESIDENT JACKSON (T-AP-18)

2nd Bn, 12th Marines (2/12)

3rd Amphibian Tractor (Amtrac) Bn

VMGR-152

3rd Marine Division

MARDET USS Essex (CVA-9)

4th Bn, 12th Marines (4/12)

3rd Amphibious Corps (III AC)

2nd Bn, 3rd Marines (2/3)

1st Bn, 4th Marines (1/4)

12th Marines

USS Wharton (AP-7)

MARDET USS California (BB-44)

3rd Bn, 29th Marines (3/29)

 
My Photos From This Battle or Operation
No Available Photos

  883 Also There at This Battle:
  • Andrews, Marion, Capt, (1942-1962)
  • Appler, R, Cpl, (1941-1945)
  • Barnes, Nathanael
  • Bell, Bob
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