By Gaylen Duskey
The old house sat out a side road overlooking the neighbor’s house on the main road, it was also right around the hill from where a patch of pink lady slipper flowers grew.
I remember taking pictures of the pink lady slippers for my flower book which was a required spring rite in Fred O. Barnes’ biology class. Lady slippers both pink and yellow were considered rare and we were told not to pick them for the book.
I didn’t.
I took pictures instead and it was quite a sight with probably 100-150 pink lady slippers in the patch with three or four yellow lady slippers growing nearby. This was a major plus to the flower book and a few years later I took my then girlfriend, later my first wife, to the patch and took more pictures.
She asked about the old house, and I told her that was where Sherm and Cora Stump used to live but it had been vacant for several years.
Sometime after that my cousin Robert bought the old farm and built a geodesic dome house where he now lives and sometime along the way he must have moved the sandstone cut rocks that had served as the pillars the house had set on, but that was okay because he owned them.
But the old house basically was totally gone and only memory could place where it used to be.
Still this house had quite a story as two amazing military people lived there.
I do not know who originally built the house but back in the 1920s Bernard Pious Bell a Congressional Medal of Honor winner lived there and later in the 1940s Roy ‘Red’ Stump a man who won two Purple Hearts and was featured on the television show “It’s a Miracle” also lived there.
Here are their stories.
Narrative of Two WWII Veterans: Bernard Pious Bell and Roy “Red” Stump
Reasoning and Approach:
To create a detailed narrative, I have synthesized historic details from the provided biographies and service records of both Bernard Pious Bell and Roy “Red” Stump. The narrative highlights their backgrounds, military service, acts of heroism, and post-war lives, drawing on specific events and awards to illustrate their unique contributions and experiences during World War II.
Bernard Pious Bell: Heroism Above and Beyond
Bernard Pious Bell was born on December 29, 1911, and would go on to become one of the most decorated American soldiers of World War II. Serving as a Technical Sergeant in the United States Army, Bell was assigned to Company I, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division. His actions during the war, particularly in France, exemplified extraordinary bravery and leadership.
On December 18, 1944, at Mittelwihr, France, Bell led a daring assault on a schoolhouse occupied by enemy troops. Demonstrating both courage and tactical acumen, he captured two guards without firing a shot and then forced 26 more Germans in the cellar to surrender by threatening them with hand grenades. Bell and his squad held the building against fierce enemy counterattacks, enduring artillery and mortar barrages. Despite disrupted communications, Bell repeatedly risked his life to repair lines under heavy fire, ensuring his commander remained informed.
When a German tank began demolishing the schoolhouse, Bell climbed to the second floor under fire to direct American artillery, forcing the tank to withdraw. He then coordinated mortar and machine gun fire to repel enemy infantry, personally killing more than 20 and capturing 33 prisoners. His leadership enabled his eight-man squad to drive back approximately 150 enemy soldiers, killing at least 87 and capturing 42. For these actions, Bell received the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, and Silver Star, reflecting his valor and the high regard in which he was held by the U.S. Army.
Bell’s earlier actions at Selestat, France, on December 5, 1944, also earned him the Distinguished Service Cross. He led his platoon through intense fire, single-handedly capturing enemy soldiers and enabling the capture of a factory, further demonstrating his fearless commitment to duty.
After the war, Bell was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, a testament to his service and sacrifice.
Roy “Red” Stump: Survival, Service, and a Miracle Reunion
Roy D. “Red” Stump was born on January 3, 1925, in Grantsville, West Virginia. He served as a Private in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946, assigned to the 787th Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Companies A & B. Stump saw action in France, Belgium, and Holland, where he was wounded multiple times, earning three Purple Hearts. He also received the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, and the World War II Victory Ribbon.
Stump’s wartime experience was marked by both trauma and resilience. In Holland, he was severely wounded by shrapnel during an incident involving an anti-tank mine. His friend, Robert Adkins, believed Stump had died in his arms, and for over fifty years, Adkins mourned his loss. In a remarkable twist of fate, the two men were reunited by chance in a hospital waiting room in Ohio in 1996, a story later featured on the TV series “It’s a Miracle.” The emotional reunion underscored the enduring bonds formed in war and the unpredictable turns of life.
After the war, Stump moved to Lorain, Ohio, where he worked for Ford Motor Corp for over three decades and later in security. He was active in veterans’ organizations and enjoyed hobbies such as racing, fishing, and gardening. Stump’s life was a testament to perseverance, community involvement, and the lasting impact of wartime experiences.
He passed away on December 9, 2005, survived by his wife, stepchildren, grandchildren, and siblings. His funeral included full military honors, reflecting the respect earned through his service and sacrifice.
Conclusion
Bernard Pious Bell and Roy “Red” Stump represent two distinct yet equally compelling stories from World War II. Bell’s legacy is one of conspicuous gallantry and battlefield leadership, while Stump’s is a story of survival, resilience, and the miracles of human connection. Both men exemplified the courage and dedication of their generation, leaving enduring marks on history and those who knew them.
Their stories are our stories and Our History which helped bring us to where we are and who we are.
