Info Sheet - Richard A. Bell
Died 17 Feb 2012
....................………………………………………………………………
He was the F Troop Commander, as a promotable Captain, June to Jul 1971. Relieved of command because of an incident in the Iron Triangle where CW2 Jim Mortimer was KIA.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/100049211/richard-arthur-bell
From the 1st Brigade, 25th Inf Div files:
Troop F, 4th Cavalry 8 (12th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade)
Maj. Thomas R. Ham ikon, February-June 1971; Capt. Richard A.
Bell. June- July 1971; Capt. Roclolfo Gutierrez, July-September 1971;
Ma j. " Billy F. Haich, September 1971-February 1972; Maj. John J.
Spencer, Jr., February-Septenfber 1972; Maj. Re r mil Larson, Jr.,
September 1972-February 1973.
VHPA:LTC Richard A Bell was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 02/17/2012 at the age of 71.4
Lafayette, LA
Flight Class 67-4
Date of Birth 09/07/1940
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with A/7/17 CAV in 67, HHT/7/17 CAV in 67-68, B/7/17 CAV in 68
This information was provided by Barry Geller, SSN search Sep 2012
Burial information: Central Louisana Veterans Cem, LA
Randy Jones: Richard Bell, a promotable Captain, was the F Troop Commander who was relieved of command shortly after the incident in the Iron Triangle where CW2 Jim Mortimer was KIA. I don’t think there was a 72 hour lapse between the incident and relief of command. It was a strange course of events fairly near the end of my tour. CPT Bell had been a staff officer within the brigade or CAV squadron level before being assigned to command F Troop, 4th CAV. I seem to recall he was either a Below the Zone selectee for promotion to MAJ or soon to be promoted from the Promotable Zone. Regardless, his tenure as command of the unit was short lived. Soon after taking command (I want to think less than two weeks), the Iron Triangle incident occurred. I also think it was his actions or lack thereof, that prompted the relief of command.