Tyler Soldier Dies in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON — An paratrooper from Tyler has died in Afghanistan. Killed in action last Thursday was 1st Sgt. Russell R. Bell, 37. According to the Department of Defense, Bell and another paratrooper from Fort Bragg North Carolina were killed in the Kandahar province of wounds suffered when they encountered an enemy IED. Bell graduated in 1993 from Chapel Hill High School. He joined the Army in 1996 as an Infantryman. Over a seven year span, this was his fourth deployment to Afghanistan. His many awards include the Bronze Star with three oak leaf clusters, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Army Good Conduct Medal with five bronze knots.