Dennis Bell, Buffalo Soldier, Medal of Honor Recipient
Dennis Bell (December 28, 1866 - September 25, 1953) was a Buffalo Soldier in the US Army. In 1898 he joined the army as a Private in Troop H of the 10th Cavalry Regiment. On June 30, American forces aboard the Florida near Trinidad, Cuba, dispatched a landing party to provide reconnaissance on Spanish outposts in the area. The party was discovered by Spanish scouts and came under heavy fire; their boats were sunk by enemy cannon fire, leaving them stranded on shore. The men aboard the Florida launched several rescue attempts; the first four were forced to retreat under heavy fire. The fifth attempt, manned by Bell and three other Privates of the 10th Cavalry (Fitz Lee, William Thompkins, and George Wanton) under the command of Lieutenant Ahern, launched at night and successfully found and rescued the surviving members of the landing party. One year later, on June 23, 1899, four of the rescuers were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions in what had come to be known as the Battle of Tayacoba. Bell reached the rank of Corporal before leaving the Army. He died at age 86 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. No photographer credited, 1900
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All-black Buffalo Calvary Corporal Negro Negroes Non-com Non-commissioned Noncom Noncommissioned Recipient Segregated Spanish-american Tenth
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