"Stable Able"/1/7 - U.S. Marine Corps Newsletter -

Live horse shows and 40 different breeds of horses. It is located about 80 miles south of the hotel.

We are going to have a good time, at the reunion and I hope you get to come and enjoy this time with all of us. If you know a corpsman, Doctor, Chaplain, or a buddy, that was in A-1-7, in Korea, let them know about our reunion and we want them here! So make your plans now and send your money in early so we can complete our plans for your reunion!

Hope to see you there! And Stay Warm;
"Muley"
Harold L. Mulhausen
Reunion Chairman

COL. VAN D. BELL, JR USMC (RET) NAVY CROSS (FIRST AWARD)

First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced)
Date of Action: May 29, 1951
Citation: The Navy Cross is presented to Van D. Bell, Jr.

First Lieutenant, U. S. Marine Corps for Extraordinary heroism as Executive Officer of Company B, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Hwach'on, Korea on 29 May 1951. Accompanying the reserve platoon during the initial phase of his company's assault against a series of strongly defended hostile positions on a steep, rocky ridge-line, First Lieutenant Bell was quick to act when the leading elements suddenly came under devastating automatic weapons and small-arms fire and the platoon leader and several men became casualties. Moving quickly

forward through the intense barrage, he assumed command of the disorganized platoon and, effecting a prompt and skillful re-organization, spearheaded an attack to neutralize three enemy bunkers in succession. Blown from his feet by a bursting grenade upon reaching the forth, heavily fortified emplacement, he succeeded in regaining his feet and, although partially blinded from facial wounds, led a charge to capture the hill. Refusing medical attention, he continued at the head of his platoon to another ridge in pursuit of the fleeing enemy and, although wounded in the leg during the advance, personally directed machine-gun fire on the remaining hostile positions to the front, staunchly refusing assistance until the position had been consolidated By his valiant leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and tenacious odds, First Lieutenant Bell served as an inspiration to all who observed him, and his selfless devotions to duty throughout the bitter action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Authority: Board Serial 234 (April 3, 1952).
Colonel Bell was born in Atlanta, GA. For those of us who receive the Leatherneck Magazine there is a great article written about Col. Bell in the June issue of his tour of duty in Vietnam and him being award a Second Navy Cross in 1966. He and his wife Hilda reside in Nettleton, MS. Son Doug has been selected for LtCol in the Corps and has just recently returned from Iraq; son Sam, a Tupelo police office serves in the Special Operations Section and is a member of the S.W.A.T. team.

For those of us that had the privilege of serving with Colonel Bell no greater

leader could have been our CO! Truly a MARINE!

PURPLE HEART STAMP

A Purple Heart Stamp is to be Re-Issued according to the American Forces Press Service | Sara Wood | May 30, 2006 Arlington National Cemetery, VA. - A new version of a postage stamp commemorating the Purple Heart and all those who have earned it was issued in a ceremony here today.

During the ceremony, two veterans of the war in Iraq were awarded Purple Hearts by R. James Nicholson, secretary of Veterans Affairs.

"(The Purple Heart) celebrates the indomitable spirit of ordinary soldiers in extraordinary situations; it embodies our country's earliest traditions of service and sacrifice," Nicholson said before presenting the Purple Heart to Army Spc. Michael Hilliard and Army Spc. Ian Wagner.

Hilliard and Wagner were wounded in Iraq while serving with the 101st Airborne Division and the 10th Mountain Division, respectively.

The stamp is a new version of the Purple Heart Definitive stamp, first issued in May 2003 by the U.S. Postal Service. USPS is proud to recognize the Purple Heart with this stamp, because it reminds Americans of what people have suffered in the name of freedom, said John E. Potter, postmaster general and chief executive officer of the U.S. Postal Service.

"The award and the men and