Master Sgt. Thomas Bell Jr. -- Contributed

ARMY

Master Sgt. Thomas Bell Jr.

PRESCOTT, ARIZ. — Recently retired U.S. Army Master Sgt. Thomas Bell Jr., formerly of Steubenville, was presented the Major General Robert A. McClure Silver Medal, the second highest award presented by the Psychological Operations Regiment.

Bell, the son of George Sr. and Carol Bell of Steubenville, was recognized for his long-standing tenure in the regiment and his significant contributions to the regiment while serving in various positions within the psychological operations arena. “His service to the regiment is exemplary,” notes his award certificate signed by Robert A.B. Curris, colonel, PO commandant.

A graduate of Steubenville High School, Bell pursued studies at Ohio Northern University before entering the Army in October 1998. After Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training, Basic Airborne Training and Basic Military Language Course, he was assigned to C Co. 9th Psychological Operations Battalion (A), 4th Psychological Operations Group (A), Fort Bragg, N.C., where he served as a psychological operations specialist.

He served in positions of increasing responsibility to include assistant tactical PSYOP team leader, tactical PSYOP team leader, detachment sergeant, PSYOP NCOA senior instructor and course manager, military information support team sergeant and regional military support detachment sergeant.

Other noteworthy assignments included the training with industry program with assignment to WRAL TV in Raleigh, N.C. He served as the Senior PSYOP planner for Special Operations Command Africa in Stuttgart, Germany; as the NCOIC of Team Libya in support of the Libyan Counter Terrorism Unit; and also as a small group instructor at the Special Warfare Operational Design Course B Co. 6th BN, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (A).

Bell deployed multiple times throughout his career, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Observant Compass, Operation Odyssey Dawn, Operation Obsidian Lotus and Support to Special Operations Command Europe in Ukraine.

His military education includes: Psychological Operations Specialist Course, Basic Airborne Course, German SOF Basic Military Language Course, Basic, Advanced and Senior Leader’s Courses, Instructor Training Course, Combatives Level 1 and 2 Course, Joint Cyberspace Operational Planners Course, USASOC Special Operations Static-Line Jumpmaster Course, Special Warfare Operational Design Course and Special Warfare Network Development Course.

Other awards and decorations include: Defense Meritorious Service Medal (OLC), Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2OLC), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (Sixth Award), National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 3), Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge and the Master Parachutist Badge.

Bell, who retired in January 2019, lives in Prescott where he serves as president of Field Craft Survival.