Marine Staff Sgt. Vincent J. Bell, 28, of Detroit
SSgt Bell was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died Nov. 30, 2011 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.
SSgt Bell graduated from Crockett Technical High School. He joined Marines in 2001. He served as an artilleryman. This was his second deployment, having previously deployed to Iraq.
Family last saw him when he came home on leave during the first week of October.
Sister, London, described her brother as a Marine warrior with the spirit of a little boy, someone who would order ice cream with sprinkles and someone who loved animals. His best friend was a sweet-natured pit bull named Nala, and he used to sing to her as a puppy.
“We’re all so hurt, and we just felt like this wasn’t supposed to happen,” said London. “It’s been very painful for all of us, we’re just feeling a little lost right now."
"He had a light in him that he drew people to him,” his sister said. “I feel like I’ve lost one of my soul mates.”
SSgt Bell's awards and decorations include:
Purple Heart
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star device
Combat Action Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Good Conduct Medal with two gold star devices
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with four bronze star devices
SSgt Bell is survived by his mother, Pamela; father, James; sisters, London and Andrea.
Marine Staff Sgt. Vincent J. Bell was killed in action on 11/30/11.
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