[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 8 (Thursday, January 12, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E58-E59]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO COLONEL PAUL E. BELL

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 12, 2017

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
Paul Edward Bell, Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Retired), who passed away in 
California on November 16, 2016. Col. Bell dedicated thirty-three years 
of his life to serve in our military and he will be deeply missed.
  Shortly after his high school graduation, Col. Bell enlisted in the 
U.S. Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet. During World War II, Col. 
Bell served as a B-24 crew member. Throughout the war, he participated 
in conflicts on the islands of Morotai, Indonesia and Okinawa, Japan, 
as well as in support of the final bombing offensive in the Pacific. 
Col. Bell flew 251 combat missions amassing 862 combat hours in 
fighter, bomber and rotary wing aircraft. His awards and decorations 
included the Legion of Merit with four oak leaf clusters, the 
Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal with eleven oak leaf 
clusters, just to name some of the many medals he received.
  Even after leaving the military, Col. Bell continued his public 
service through his participation in numerous community, military 
support groups and veteran's organizations. He was a member of the 
Knights of Columbus, the Elks and the Newcomen Society. He was an area 
vice president for the California Air Force Association; was on the 
governing boards of the Silver Eagles, the March Field Air Museum,

[[Page E59]]

the Forum, the Riverside Chamber Military Affairs Committee and the 
15th Air Force Association. Col. Bell was instrumental in establishing 
several historic sites on March Air Reserve Base, persuaded Bob Hope to 
allow the Riverside chapter of the Air Force Association be named in 
his honor, and established the chapter's annual ``Air Crew Excellence 
Award'' for airmen of the 4th Air Force. In 1995, Col. Bell was 
recognized by Air Mobility Command as its Citizen of the Year. Col. 
Bell's significant contributions to the base, its units, its uniformed 
members and government employees will long preserve March Air Reserve 
Base's legacy in Riverside history.
  I had the distinct privilege of knowing Col. Bell for many years and 
I will deeply miss him. I extend my heartfelt condolences to Col. 
Bell's wife, Helen, as well as the entire Bell family. Although Col. 
Bell may be gone, his selfless dedication to our nation will long be 
remembered.

                          ____________________