H.C.R. No. 112
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor was established
to recognize gallant and intrepid service by a member of the state
or federal military forces, and U.S. Army Sergeant Major Jerry L.
Bell of Leon County proved himself a deserving recipient of this
prestigious commendation through his heroic actions during the
Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, A native of Leon County and a fourth generation
Texan, Jerry Lynn Bell enlisted in the U.S. Army in Houston; after
distinguishing himself as a tank commander, he was assigned from
May 1969 to June 1970 as a non-aviator crew member with Troop B, 7th
Armored Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry, in Vietnam; serving as an
observer on light observation helicopters that conducted
reconnaissance over hostile territory, he repeatedly demonstrated
his willingness to place himself in harm's way to protect his fellow
soldiers; and
WHEREAS, On February 25, 1970, Sergeant Bell took part in a
mission in which an accompanying helicopter was shot down, severely
injuring its crew; exposed to intense fire while his aircraft
advanced toward the crash site at treetop level, Sergeant Bell
suffered shrapnel wounds to his left arm and chest but kept the
enemy at bay by firing on their position with his machine gun; his
efforts provided cover to facilitate a rescue of the aviators in the
downed craft, and he also assisted by keeping his helicopter's
rotor clear of obstacles and tending to injured crew members on the
ground; after the wounded were evacuated for medical treatment, he
and the pilot returned to the combat zone and marked the enemy
fortifications so that they could be targeted by gunships,
artillery, and air strikes; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Bell took part in numerous other combat
missions during his 13 months with Troop B in Vietnam, and at one
point, he made 25 flights over a three-week period; his willingness
to go above and beyond the call of duty was recognized with numerous
commendations; in addition to the Purple Heart he received for his
shrapnel wounds, he was honored with the Distinguished Flying
Cross, the Army Commendation Medal, the Bronze Star with "V"
device, multiple Air Medals, the Vietnam Service Medal with four
bronze service stars, the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak
leaf cluster, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm
ribbon; and
WHEREAS, This dedicated soldier ultimately completed 21
years of active duty in the armed forces, attaining the rank of
sergeant major, and he was posted to Germany and Korea, among other
locations; his final duty station was at Fort Bliss in El Paso,
where he was the enlisted advisor to the 2nd Brigade, 49th Armored
Division, of the Texas National Guard; after retiring from the
military, he served as a postal carrier in Leon County, worked for a
construction company, operated a gun store, and successfully ran
for mayor of Leona; he passed away on January 10, 2021, at the age of
77, leaving behind his wife, Alice Bell, his four children, Jerry,
Harold, Kimberly, and Wendy, and many grandchildren and
great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Jerry Bell distinguished himself through his acts of
extraordinary courage, patriotism, and selflessness on the
battlefield, and it is indeed fitting that he be honored with the
highest military award conferred by the State of Texas; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby direct the governor of the State of Texas to posthumously
award the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to Jerry L. Bell in
recognition of his valiant service during the Vietnam War.
Bell of Montgomery
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 112 was adopted by the House on May
19, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 0, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 112 was adopted by the Senate on May
26, 2023, by a rising vote.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor