Dennis Bell (Medal of Honor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dennis Bell
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Private Dennis Bell
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| Born | December 28, 1866 Washington, D.C., US |
| Died | September 25, 1953 (aged 86) Washington, D.C., US |
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| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1892–1903 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit | Troop H, 10th Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Spanish–American War *Battle of Tayacoba |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Dennis Bell (born December 28, 1866 – died September 25, 1953) was a brave American soldier. He was a "Buffalo Soldier", which was the nickname for African American soldiers in the United States Army after the Civil War. Dennis Bell received the Medal of Honor, America's highest award for military bravery. He earned this award for his heroic actions during the Spanish–American War. He and three other Buffalo Soldiers were the last African American servicemen to receive this medal for over 50 years.
Dennis Bell's Military Service
Bell joined the Army in December 1892 from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. By June 30, 1898, he was a Private in Troop H of the 10th Cavalry Regiment. On that day, American forces were near Trinidad, Cuba. They sent a small group to check on Spanish army outposts.
The Battle of Tayacoba
The Spanish soldiers discovered the American group. The Americans came under heavy fire, meaning they were shot at a lot. Their boats were sunk by enemy cannons, leaving them stuck on the shore.
The American ship, the Florida, tried to rescue them. The first four rescue attempts failed because of the heavy gunfire. The fifth attempt was launched at night. It included Private Bell and three other Privates from the 10th Cavalry. Their names were Fitz Lee, William H. Thompkins, and George H. Wanton.
This brave team successfully found and rescued the surviving soldiers. One year later, on June 23, 1899, these four rescuers received the Medal of Honor. Their heroic actions became known as the Battle of Tayacoba.
Bell later became a Corporal before he left the Army in December 1903.
Later Life and Burial
Dennis Bell passed away at a hospital in Washington, D.C. on September 25, 1953. He was 87 years old. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. This is a very important cemetery where many American heroes are laid to rest.
His obituary, a notice in the newspaper about his death, mentioned his bravery. It said he won the Medal of Honor for going ashore under heavy fire. He helped rescue 14 wounded friends in Cuba in 1898.
