Briefing Document: 1st Lieutenant Eugene Carter Bell

Date: October 26, 2023

Subject: Life and Military Service of Eugene Carter Bell in World War I

1. Overview

This document summarizes the life and military service of Eugene Carter Bell, a young man from Baird, Texas, who served as an officer in the U.S. Army during World War I. The document primarily focuses on his personal details, military timeline, and ultimately, his tragic death in action.

2. Personal Details

Full Name: Eugene Carter Bell

Race: White

Marital Status: Married

Residence: Baird, Callahan County, Texas (prior to military service)

Occupation: Pharmacist for U.S. Army at Camp Leon Springs (prior to deployment)

Physical Description: Medium height and build, black hair, gray-green eyes

Date of Birth: October 21, 1894

Parents: Farley S. and Ann E. Bell

Spouse: Mary Belle Pool (married June 2, 1918)

Next of Kin: Mrs. Mary Pool Bell, living in Waco, Texas

Family: The text notes that Eugene lived with his parents and siblings in Baird during the 1900 and 1910 censuses and that he was survived by his wife and parents.

3. Military Service Timeline

August 15, 1917: Called into active federal service for the US Army as a 2nd Lieutenant at Camp Leon Springs.

Camp Funston, Leon Springs: Attended officer training.

Camp Travis: Training with Company A, 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division.

June 3, 1918: Promoted to 1st Lieutenant.

June 1918: Moved to Camp Mills, New York and then to Hoboken, New Jersey.

June 20, 1918: Embarked from Hoboken on a transport ship to England.

Arrival in England: After an 11-day voyage, arrived in England.

France: Eugene's company entered France. Spent six weeks training near Rouvres, France (8 hours per day).

August 19, 1918: 90th Division moved to vicinity of Toul.

August 24, 1918: Relieved the 1st Division in the line in the Villers-en-Haye sector north of Toul.

September 12-16, 1918: 90th Division participated in St. Mihiel operation.

October 10, 1918: Remained in the Puvenelle sector until this date.

October 13 - November 11, 1918: Participated in Meuse-Argonne operations.

August 20, 1918 - November 11, 1918: The division was under fire and advancing when halted by the armistice.

November 5, 1918: Killed in action during the Argonne Forest operations in France.

4. Key Events & Circumstances

Rapid Deployment: Eugene's military experience was compressed into a short but intense period, involving rapid promotions, transfer across continents, intensive training, and continuous combat. His marriage on June 2, 1918, happened just eighteen days before he shipped out to Europe, highlighting the speed of his deployment.

Heavy Combat: The 90th Division, which Eugene was a part of, was heavily involved in key operations:

St. Mihiel

Meuse-Argonne

Under fire nearly continuously from late August until the armistice.

Tragic Loss: Eugene was killed in action just a few days before the Armistice which ended the fighting, underscoring the tremendous personal cost of the war.

Family Loss: A double tragedy struck his family. Two days after Eugene's death, on November 7, his brother, Private Hubbard Bell, died at Ft Sam Houston.

Post-Mortem Care: The Graves Registration Service of the US Army is mentioned, and praised for doing an "awesome job." Eugene was initially buried in a temporary grave and later reinterred in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in 1921, demonstrating the commitment to the fallen.

5. Key Quotes

"Eugene was called into active federal service for the US Army on August 15, 1917 at Camp Leon Springs as a 2nd Lieutenant."

"Eugene married Miss Mary Belle Pool on June 2, 1918 in Bexar County, eighteen days before he shipped out from Hoboken."

"During the Argonne Forest operations Lieutenant Bell was killed in action on November 5, 1918 in France."

"Two days later, November 7th, his brother Private Hubbard Bell died at Ft Sam Houston."

6. Conclusion

The text provides a detailed account of the life of Eugene Carter Bell, a young man who went from a pharmacist in Texas to an officer on the front lines of World War I. His story is a poignant example of the personal sacrifices made during the conflict and the profound impact the war had on families both in the United States and abroad. His early death, so close to the end of the war, serves as a sobering reminder of the lives lost in the First World War.