10. John Edward BELL:
born 7 Apr 1921 in Columbus, MS; married 9 May 1944 in Rapid City, SD.
11. Virginia Doris
"Gincie" DOLLAHITE: born 16 Oct 1923 in Stacy, Crittenden
Co., AR.
4/7/1921, at 9:10 PM, John born in Fite Hospital ,
Columbus , LownCo. ,
MS
10/16/1923 at 10:40 AM, a Tuesday, Virginia born in Stacy, Waponocca,
Crittenden Co., AR; d/o 22. William Edward
Dollahite & 23. Elizabeth Olion Stemm. (S) Birth Certificate
& (S) Dollahite Family Bible.
1/27/1926, Virginia’s father died.
1926, John entered 1st grade at the “Demonstration” school of MS State College
For Women , (now University
of MS
9/30/1927, Virginia attended
her aunt Alice’s wedding in Water
Valley , MS
10/1929, The stock market crashed beginning “The Great
Depression”, which would last ten years.
No.4:(S) 1930 Census. John.
No.7:(S) 1930 Census. Virginia .
4/1/1935, John lives with his parents in Columbus, MS.
(S) 1940 Census.
4/1/1935, Virginia lives with her mother and her Aunt
Diffee’s family in Jackson, Madison Co., TN.
1/1937, John went to live with his sister, Wilda, in Murphysboro , IL
6/1937, John spent the summer with his brother Sydney
in NYC, NY. John rode a Greyhound bus from St. Louis to New York. (John had to
wait three hours before Sydney to picked him up.) According to John, he could
“Ride the subway for a nickel. Eat in
the AutoMat for a nickel each item. See
movies with big-band stage shows for fifty cents. Ride the subway to Yankee Stadium for a
baseball game. See the big shows at Radio City Music Hall for seventy-five cents.”
6/1938, John returned to live with his family in Columbus , MS
5/1939, John graduated from Lee
High School in Columbus . “Not all A's , but mostly B's ,
B+'s, with a few A's now and then.” – John Bell. John also played football for
Lee High.
1939, Japan and China go to war; Germany invades
Poland.
4/2/1940, John lives with his parents and brother
Sydney at 604 5th St. So., Columbus, MS. John has 4 years of high
school. (S) 1940 Census.
4/16/1940, Virginia lives with her mother and her
maternal Aunt Diffee and her family in Jackson, Madison Co., TN. Virginia has completed 3 years of high
school. Virginia is listed as “school girl, public school.’ (S) 1940 Census.
1/1940, A recruiter for the Royal Canadian Air Force
visited the campus of Mississippi State College. John went to Starkville to
hear him speak. (John did not sign up because he learned that fighting for
another country would cause him to lose his citizenship.)
9/1940, John enrolled at Miss. State College. [While
attending John learned that the need for pilots was so great that they decided
to wave the two-year college requirement.]
1/13/1941, John’s mother died in Columbus, MS.
4-5/1941, John sent his Army Air Corps application to
Maxwell Field. He then rode the train from Columbus to Montgomery for testing.
“The exam dealt mainly, as I recall,
with geometry, a little physics, and a lot of mechanical stuff, gears and wheels,
and the like.” – John Bell. John passed the test, but was disqualified for
being “left handed.” Having missed a lot of classes, John dropped out of Miss.
State College.
5/23/1941, Virginia
graduated from Jackson
High School
1941, John travelled to St. Louis to interview for a
position with the GM&O railroad. They wanted college graduates, but hired
him as a temp employee. It paid $40 per week plus expenses. “More money than
I'd ever seen before in my life. My duties included the oversight of the
porters, stewards, and hostesses on The
Rebel, which traveled overnight
between St. Louis, and Mobile.” – John
Bell.
9/1941-43. Virginia
attended Huntington College in Montgomery ,
AL
12/7/1941, Japan attacks Pearl Harbor drawing the US
into WWII.
1942, John learned that the pilot training requirement
was reduced to a high school diploma. He went to the St. Louis federal building
and talked to a recruiter of the Army Air Corps. He travelled to Columbus Air
Field, MS, where he completed his paperwork and exams.
3/20/1942 John enlisted as a Private in the Army Air
Corps at Columbus Army Air field, MS. He was 5 ft 10 inches tall and weighed
157 pounds. (S) WWII Enlistment record.
4/1942, John ordered to Camp Shelby. Once there, he was
assigned to pre-flight training at Maxwell field.
5/1942, John began 13 weeks at Maxwell in pre-flight
training.
8/1942, John sent to Primary Flight school at Door
field, Arcadia, FL. Once there he learned that their flight instructors were
civilians employed by the Embry Riddle School of Aviation. John’s instructor
was Bill Oberg. Their training plane was a bi-wing two-seater, the Stearman
PT-17. Once he had soloed, there was several weeks of intense ground school
included with the flight training. The final test was a 150-mile cross-country
solo.
By 2/1943, John completed Basic training. Basic Flight
school, at Maxwell, in the Vultee Aircraft BT-13, a larger more acrobatic
plane. This training included the first night flights (in which two of his
classmates were killed.)
2/1943, John sent back to Door Field for Advanced
Flying School in the B-25. “Less ground school, and flying around the clock.” –
John Bell.
6/1943, Virginia
returned to Jackson , TN
1943, John sent to “Transition” training in Dalhart,
TX. “The B-17 was the biggest airplane we’d ever seen, and the most
complicated. All those systems, and four engines.” – John Bell.
8/9/1943, Western Union telegram from Gincie to Johnny:
“=Jackson Tenn AUG 9 103P [to] JOHN E BELL 14101451= =232 AAF BY SQDN A DALHART
AAB= =ARRIVING AMARILLO WEDNESDAY AUGUST 15 1230 PM I LOVE YOU= =GINCIE.”
1/30/1944, On completing Transition, John sent to the
18th Replacement Depot in Salt Lake City, Utah, for his crew
assignment – two pilots, a bombardier, navigator, radio operator, engineer, and
four gunners.
1944, John’s crew was then sent to Rapid City, SD, for
10 weeks of combat training. (This is where the crew learns to operate as a
unit.)
By 1944, John had proposed to Virginia.
4/1944, Virginia had a wedding shower in Jackson, TN.
5/1944, John unable to get leave to be married.
Virginia, with her mother escorting her, traveled to Rapid City, SD, to join
him and get married. (S) Wedding Announcement in The Jackson Sun, Monday, May
15, 1944.
5/9/1944 in the First Methodist Church of Rapid City , SD , at 9
P.M., John married Virginia
John was sent on a troop train to NYC, NY.
5/1944, John was shipped to Liverpool, England and
assigned to B-17’s; 8th Air Force, 1st Division, 1st Combat Bomb Wing, 398th
Bomb Group (Heavy), 601st Strategic Bombing Squadron.
7/13/1944, John’s crew assigned to Nuthampstead Air
Field, 50 miles north of London.
1944, John’s first mission was with a large contingent
of bombers sent against Munich.
10/17/1944, Virginia and her mother visited Mt Vernon.
8/8/1944, John’s plane shot down on a mission to bomb
German troop concentrations at Couvincourt ,
France Cherbourg
on the French coast; and were put on a boat back to England that afternoon.
11/19/1944, John had his picture taken in uniform at
Trafalgar Square, London, England.
1/1/1945, John began his journey back to the US. John
was credited with 22 missions. Battles and campaigns: S France, Normandy, N
France, Ardennes, Rhineland, C Europe. Decorations: EAMET with 6 Bronze Stars
(European theater, meritorious service), Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit
Citation. (S) Discharge papers.
1/8/1945, John arrived back in the US.
5/8/1945, VE day.
5-6/1945, John returned from the overseas. Virginia
left the Pentagon when John returned from WWII.
7/1/1945, John and Gincie visited St Louis, Mo. on his
trip home.
1945, John and Gincie lived at 433 Lexington Ave.,
Jackson, TN. (S) VA document.
10/20/1945, Private First Class John E. Bell discharged
from military service. John was awarded $34.50
for a 30% disability. Blue eyes, blonde hair, 5’ 9.5”, 160 pounds.
Civilian Occupation: Passenger Representative. Military qualification: AAF Air
Crew Member. Battles and campaignes: (S) Discharge papers.
1945, They moved into an apartment in a private home in
Jackson , TN.
4/12/1946, John received a letter from the VA. John was awarded
1946, John went to work for WCMA, a new radio station
of the Dixie network, in Corinth ,
MS
1946, They moved into an apartment in downtown Corinth,
MS.
1946, John and Gincie joined the First Methodist Church
of Corinth.
1/7/1949, John paid the Alcorn County Poll Tax of $2
prior to voting in the election on April 1st. [John paid $21.25
taxes on property valued at $500 the same month.]
Bef. 1950, They moved into a house at 1105, 5th
street in Corinth. (S) Poll Tax receipt for 1953.
8/20/1954, John and Gincie applied for a $12,000
mortage, 20-year loan at 4.5%. (S) Contract.
12/18/1954, John’s father died in Jackson, MS.
By 1/11/1955, They moved into a house at 1019, 6th
street in Corinth. (S) Poll Tax receipt for 1955.
By 1/17/1957, Their address was changed to 1019, East 6th
street in Corinth. (S) Poll Tax receipt for 1958.
12/1960, They moved 1304 Pine Rd., Corinth.
1966, John went to CA to take care of his deceased
brother Syd’s belongings.
7/7/1972, Gincie’s mother died in Jackson, TN.
5/22/1973, “John Bell Broadcasters, Inc.” was created a
512 ½ Fillmore St., Corinth, MS. Officers were Virginia D Bell and John E Bell;
and Director Bill E. Henson.
6/12/1973, John and Bill H. Henson involved in a loan
of $8750 at 7.25% annual interest. (S) Loan document.
11/20/1975, Gincie executed a will leaving everything
to John.
8/26/1977, Gincie renewed her driver’s license for 3
years – eyes: green, hair: blond, 5’ 2”, weight 120. (S) DL.
1982, Gincie issued a passport. (S) PP.
1985, Gincie earned $10,900 working for “John Bell
Broadcasters, Inc.” (S) W-2.
1985, Gincie earned $13,100 working for “John Bell
Broadcasters, Inc.” (S) W-2.
1987, John retired from WCMA. John and Virginia
remained in Corinth, MS.
1987, Gincie renewed her passport. (S) PP.
2004, John mentioned in the book “The Man Called Cash”
(about singer Johnny Cash).
12/28/2007, Gincie renewed her driver’s liscence for 5
years.
1/2009, They sold their home and moved into an
apartment in downtown Corinth – 708 Cruise St.
1/2009, Nine days after moving into the apartment,
Gincie fell and was hospitalized; and eventually moved into the Country Cottage
assissted living facility.
5/6/2012, John E. Bell a member of the Alcorn County
Republican Executive Committee. (S) Daily Corinthian.
10/17/2013, Gincie died. (S) [Obituary: Virginia Doris
“Gincie” Dollahite Bell, 90, of Corinth, passed away Thursday, October 17, 2013
at Country Cottage Assisted Living. A Memorial Visitation will be held at the
First United Methodist Church in Corinth, on Sunday, October 20, 2013 at 4:00
p.m. Born October 16, 1923, Ms. Gincie was a homemaker who enjoyed
cooking, sewing, and taking care of her family. She was a lifetime member of
the Corinth Junior Auxiliary, and worked with the Literacy Program. She was of
the Methodist Faith and was a member of First United Methodist Church of
Corinth, MS for 67 years. She loved all her children and grandchildren. … Rev.
Roger Shock and Bro. Warren Jones will officiate. Visitation for family and
friends will be from 3:00 PM Sunday until service time at First United
Methodist Church, Corinth, MS.]
12/5/2013, John renewed his driver’s liscence (at 92
years old) for 10 years. [He was still giving his birth date as 1922.]
5/2014, John travelled to England (with friends and a
family member) for the 70th anniversary of D-Day. The trip, by bus
(a tour group which included 3 WWII veterans – and many family members of
deceased veterans), started in London, then went to the west to areas where US
Army troops were stationed and did their training for the invasion.
6/4/2014, The group took a ferry across the channel to
Cherbourg in Normandy. The ferry captain (a lady) heard that a WWII veteran was
aboard, found John, and gave him a gift. From Cherbourg the group then began
daily bus tours of the areas associated with the invasion – beach heads, major
battle sites … John, in his wheel chair, always attracted tourists wanting his
autograph.
6/6/2014, John was one of about 50 veterans on the
stage at the American cemetery at Omaha Beach when President Obama and the
French President addressed the 35-thousand plus crowd. John also had his
picture taken with John Kerry and Nancy Pelosi.
2014, “Johnny Bell”, manager of WCMA on Fillmore
Street, mentioned in the book “The Next Elvis” by Barbars Barnes Sims.
12/2014, John was the voice of the annual Corinth
Christmas parade (one of many years of service.)
6/23/2015, John had a stoke and was hospitalized.
10/19/2015, John, age 94, died in the Whitfield nursing
home, Corinth, MS. (S) Obituary. [Visitation is scheduled from 10 AM, Monday,
October 26, 2015, at First United Methodist Church - Corinth, MS. A celebration
of John's life will be held at 11 AM.]
Family notes:
·
John Edward Bell: “During the Great Depression,
no one except the very few had any money. It was just as well that by this time
I was attending the public schools which required no tuition. ... Due to
Mother’s loss of her inheritance from the Loftis plantation, and Daddy’s
falling out with the Methodist Conference, family income was reduced to a
trickle. Family history says that the family fortune was squandered by my uncle
William Ward Loftis; who took over running the plantation after the death of my
grandfather, Perry Loftis.”
·
John told many stories of his time in England
during the war. He talked of taking the train to Paddington station, and
visiting Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus when ever he had leave. There
was a large USO facility with music and dancing at Piccadilly Circus. This is
where he “danced with the Queen” (who was a Princess at the time.)
·
Johnny was a vital member of the Corinth
community. He was the lead voice and spearhead for establishing the Corinth
City Park. He was involved in the Corinth YMCA, later known as the Sportsplex,
and was given a lifetime member award. He was a lifelong member of the
Methodist Church, serving as member and/or Chairman of various church
committees. He was the announcer for the annual Christmas parade from the
beginning.
·
Virginia worked at WCMA radio for many years as
receptionist and computer operator.
