Melvin C. Bell

Mel was born on a farm in Doland, South Dakota. He and his family survived the Dust Bowl and the Depression, during the 1930's. Mel joined the military in 1938 as a member of the U.S. Calvary before transferring to the Army Air Corps in 1940, where he was stationed in Hickam Field, Hawaii. On December 7, 1941, Mel survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. Shortly thereafter, Mel completed Aerial Navigation training, became a Navigator, and flew numerous missions that served as transport for supplies and troops to multiple locations in the South Pacific. After the war, he continued his United States Air Force career as a Navigator with the Special Air Mission Squad based in Washington, D.C. Mel retired at the rank of Major in the USAF in 1961. He and his wife Phyllis moved to Windsor Gardens in Denver and made it their home for 45 years.

Melvin will be laid to rest at Fort Logan National Cemetery. 4400 West Kenyon Avenue, on Thursday, April 7 at 11:00am. A memorial service will follow at 12:00pm at Olinger Hampden Mortuary, 8600 East Hampden Avenue, in Denver.

Memorials can be made in Melvin's name to the Optimist International Foundation through their website at www.oifoundation.org.