He was assigned to the 50th Infantry Regiment, and served in the United States and then performed overseas duty with the American Forces in Germany.

After the war, Bell served in the Occupation of Japan, then carried out a two-year assignment as deputy chief of staff of the XXIV Corps in South Korea.

[4][5] In addition, Bell joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity's Chi Mu chapter[6] and was a member of Scabbard and Blade.

[8] He was soon promoted to sergeant in Company H, and he continued to serve with the National Guard until he was discharged so he could accept a commission in the United States Army.

[8] Following his unit's activation for federal service in 1916, Bell served on the Mexico–United States border in Texas during the Pancho Villa Expedition.

[8] With the Army's expansion during World War I increasing the demand for officers, Bell was promoted to temporary first lieutenant on the same day.

[8] In 1923, Bell was assigned as assistant professor of military science for the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Lehigh University.

[8] Prior to beginning the staff college program of instruction, Bell was assigned to duty with the Civilian Conservation Corps and helped establish the camp in Wendling, Oregon.

[8] In March 1941, Bell was assigned to staff duty as mobilization officer for the Fifth Corps Area at Fort Hayes, Ohio.

[2] The 81st Division subsequently relocated to Camp Beale, California to complete its training before departing for combat overseas.

[36] According to news accounts, the details of Bell's Silver Star citation for actions during the Battle of Angaur read: "Shortly after dark September 18, 1944, Gen. Bell proceeded on a voluntary mission through an area in which enemy patrols were known to be operating in order to expedite the delivery of division orders to the regimental commander for the attack the following day.

Throughout the two days which followed he accompanied forward elements of the regiment in the attack, frequently exposing himself to hostile fire in order to confer with and advise junior leaders.

"[37]After the Surrender of Japan in early September 1945, Bell continued to serve with the 81st Infantry Division as it performed post-war occupation duty.

[44] He participated in veteran' reunions and other commemorative activities, including the dedication of monument to the 81st Infantry Division at Fort Rucker in 1959.

[45] In July 1961, Bell spoke at the dedication of a monument honoring Confederate and Union veterans of the American Civil War which was placed at the Jasper County, Missouri courthouse in his former hometown of Carthage.

[47] In 1969, Bell was foreman of a Muscogee County, Georgia grand jury that investigated claims of police department dysfunction in Columbus.