Vincent J. Bell
Staff Sergeant, United States Army
July 8, 1983 – November 30, 2011
Age – 28
Detroit, MI
Operation Enduring Freedom
2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA
Killed by improvised explosive device while on a combat mission in Afghanistan.
Bell began serving in the Marine Corps on July 9, 2001. The artilleryman was based at Camp Pendleton. He was part of the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force. He served four tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan which was his final mission. This was an incredible request of any man, but he had been instilled with a great sense of duty and outstanding values by his mother as he was growing up.
It was evident by all the Marines who knew him that he guarded and protected his men and was a very conscientious and effective leader. His courage and commitment to the Marine Corps was displayed by all he did. He exhibited the characteristics we pray our armed forces needs in our leaders in the field.
United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Vincent J. Bell was born on July 8, 1983, and was raised in Detroit, MI. Vincent made friends easily and loved to hang out with the other kids in his neighborhood. They were always outside riding bikes or playing video games. Even through Vincent was a kid himself, he often took on the role of big brother and mentored the younger kids. It was in his local neighborhood where he learned the very leadership skills displayed throughout his service as a Marine. He loved having pizza and movie nights with his mom, Pamela, and his older sisters, London and Andrea. Vincent was kind-hearted and loved animals – often befriending dogs, turtles and frogs. Vincent attended Crockett Vocational/Technical Center High School in Detroit, MI, and graduated in May 2001. He was a great student and especially loved his photography class.
Vincent enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on July 7, 2001, and left for boot camp in Parris Island, SC, on his birthday, July 8, 2001. He was in boot camp on September 11, 2001, during the terrorist attacks on the United States. In January 2003, Lance Corporal Bell deployed with Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 2/1, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Special Operations Capable (SOC) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom-1. Upon returning from deployment, Corporal Bell held the billets of Assistance Section Chief, and Fire Team Leader. In September 2004, Corporal Bell deployed with 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2-2. Upon returning from deployment, Corporal Bell held the billet of Howitzer Section Chief. In July 2005, Corporal Bell transferred to the Inactive Ready Reserves but shortly after, on March 3, 2006, Sergeant Bell transferred back to active duty and was assigned to Sierra Battery 5th Battalion, 11th Marines. In September 2006, Sergeant Bell deployed with BLT 2/4 15th MEU (SOC) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 5-7.
Upon returning from deployment, Sergeant Bell underwent new equipment training for the M142 HIM – ARS Launcher and served as a Launcher Chief. In July 2008, Sergeant Bell again deployed with Sierra Battery 5th Battalion, 11th Marines in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom Resolution. He was then reassigned to Headquarters Battery, 11th Marine Regiment to serve as an Artillery Training School Instructor, where he provided advanced training to the Section Chiefs of 11th Marine Regiment. In February 2011, Staff Sergeant Bell was promoted to his current rank, Staff Sergeant, and reported to Golf Battery 2d Battalion, 11th Marines, where he served as a Howitzer Section Chief.
From his service, Staff Sergeant Bell’s personal decorations include the Purple Heart, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat “V”, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one Gold Star, and the Combat Action Ribbon with one Gold Star.
On October 31, 2011, SSgt Bell deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 11.2 as the Platoon Sergeant for Golf Battery, 1st Platoon. While conducting daily combat operations throughout the Kajaki District, Helmond Province, Afghanistan, his life tragically ended on November 30, 2011, after sustaining injuries from contact with an improvised explosive device (IED).