b. 12/03/1839 Sunderland, England. d. 26/09/1917 Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 07/11/1861 Galveston Bay, Texas.
George H Bell MOH
Born on March 12, 1839, in Sunderland, England, Bell’s family moved to Newcastle upon Tyne in the mid-1840s. He began his maritime career at age fourteen and over the next seven years sailed the Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Indian Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea. While docked in New York City on May 12, 1861, just after the onset of the American Civil War, Bell enlisted in the United States Navy. In July, he joined the USS Santee as an able seaman but was quickly promoted to coxswain due to his sailing experience. At Galveston Bay, Texas, on November 7, 1861, he distinguished himself during a mission to destroy the Confederate ship Royal Yacht. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor two years later, on July 10, 1863. He received his Medal on board the USS Brooklyn on 21 November 1864 from Captain James Alden, whilst it was docked at Hampton Roads, Virginia. After the end of the US Civil War, he returned to England, where he lived the rest of his life in the North East. He died in Newcastle upon Tyne on 26 September 1917 aged 78.
MOH CITATION:
Served as pilot of the U.S.S. Santee when that vessel was engaged in cutting out the rebel armed schooner Royal Yacht from Galveston Bay, 7 November 1861, and evinced more coolness, in passing the 4 forts and the rebel steamer General Rusk, than was ever before witnessed by his commanding officer. “Although severely wounded in the encounter, he displayed extraordinary courage under the most painful and trying circumstances.
BURIAL LOCATION: ELSWICK CEMETERY, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
