Virgil Bell - Served in South Pacific- Army

Looking for anyone who might have served with my father, Virgil Bell, during WWII in the South Pacific (Philipines, New Zealand, and other areas). He was in the Army (infantry?), probably from 41-44 or 45.
I know that he did his basic in Louisana, then was shipped overseas. I have very limited information to go on as he passed away in 1988. He did not talk much about his military service during my childhood, but I believe he recieved 2 Purple Hearts during his service. Once when I was a little girl he was talking sadly to his brother and I overheard him say that his best friend had died in his lap after being wounded in the war. He spoke some about the island people and how there were some starving kids kept inside a fence that he and his friend slipped their rations through the fence to.
His military records are mostly gone, due to the fire in the St Louis records repository a few decades ago. My mother knew more about his service, but would never talk about it to us kids and she is also now passed away.

Virgil Bell was born in Dillard MO in 1918, and got married right before going into the Army. He had been a farm boy and his family was very poor, with many brothers and sisters, including his twin, who survives.

He loved his country and was very proud to have served his country. We used to watch the presidential election coverage on tv together from the time I was about 7 or 8 until we lost him to cancer, and he would explain how it all meshed together and why it all mattered.
He was the greatest man I ever knew and now that I am 50, I realize how little I knew about him and would love to talk to anyone who might have known him, served with him or anyone who might be able to point me in the right direction to find more about his service. Thank you for your time. kbe

 

Best of luck with your request for info.

 

Hello mozarkian,
Welcome aboard Enjoy - good luck in your research

Regards
Kruska

 

Hi Mozarkian best of luck with the search and offcourse welcome to WW2F .