This Military Service Page was created/owned by
A3C Michael S. Bell
to remember
Bell, Keith Willard, A1C.
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Contact Info
Home Town Peoria
Last Address Milpitas, CA
Date of Passing Jan 05, 2011
Wall/Plot Coordinates Ashes at sea
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
Keith Bell
PEORIA - Keith Willard Bell, 79, of Milpitas, Calif., formerly of Peoria, passed away Jan. 5, 2011, at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Fremont, Calif.
There will be no services or visitation. Cremation was accorded by San Jose Neptune Society.
Published in Peoria Journal Star on June 2, 2011
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From Global Security:
In July 1948, the 314th transferred to Smyrna AFB, Tennessee, and reorganized as the 314th Troop Carrier Wing in September 1949. On September 20, 1949, the 62nd was re-designated and, one month later, activated as the 62nd Troop Carrier Squadron (Medium). That same month, the C-47 Skytrain was replaced by the new airlift mainstay, the C-119 Flying Boxcar.
In August 1950, the 62nd went out on the road for what was intended to be a 60-day temporary duty assignment to Japan. It was to become a four-year stay in sunny, scenic Ashiya, Japan. The unit was originally tasked to join United Nations forces in the Korean conflict as a rotational unit. However, as the fighting on the Korean peninsula escalated, the commitment of the 62nd TCS to theater operations expanded and the squadron remained in Japan for approximately 4 years. During the Korean Conflict, while assigned in Ashyia, the 62d temporarily became known as the "Blue Barons." The blue portion of their emblem derived from their squadron color. "Baron" was chosen because history designates a baron as one of high position and honor, and a leader in the line of peers. The 62nd, having earned nearly every major honor and award for participating in the Korean War, returned from Ashiya, Japan to Sewart AFB, TN, with a distinctive title that captured the true spirit of the squadron...
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The 314th and 62nd late in Keith's service had their Boxcars stripped of insignia in order to carry out supply and napalm missions over Vietnam in support of the French under seige at Dien Bien Phu.
Other Comments:
Note from Michael S. Bell - 21 Mar 2011
Keith Bell was my uncle.
Following the war, Keith became a lifelong Pacifist and eventually retired as a Social Worker.
His female heirs, 12 Mar 2011 in La Crescent, MN reunion:
His male heirs, 12 Mar 2011 in La Crescent, MN reunion:
1949-1950, C-47 Skytrain/Dakota
From Year 1949
To Year 1950
Personal Memories
Not Specified
Image
C-47 Skytrain/Dakota Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
During World War II, the armed forces of many countries used the C-47 and modified DC-3s for the transport of troops, cargo and wounded. Over 10,000 aircraft were produced in Long Beach and Santa Monica, California and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma City plant produced 5,354 C-47s from March 1943 until August 1945.
Model Douglas C-47 Skytrain / Dakota Mk I Length 63.75 ft | 19.43 m Width 95.51 ft | 29.11 m Height 16.99 ft | 5.18 m Engine(s) 2 x Pratt & Whintey R-1830-92 14-cylinder radial piston engines delivering 1,200hp each. Empty Weight 18,199 lbs | 8,255 kg MTOW 25,999 lbs | 11,793 kg Max Speed 230 mph | 370 km/h | 200 kts Max Range 1,600 miles | 2,575 km Ceiling 23,999 ft | 7,315 m | 4.5 miles Climb Rate 1,041 ft/min Hardpoints None. Armament None. Accommodations 3 + 27
