Bill Text: TX HCR112 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Enrolled

Texas House Concurrent Resolution 112 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Directing the governor of the State of Texas to posthumously award the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to U.S. Army Sergeant Major Jerry L. Bell.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 2)

Status: (Passed) 2023-06-13 - Signed by the Governor [HCR112 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HCR112-Enrolled.html



	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