Cdr Merlin G Bell

Captain Bell served as the thirteenth
Commanding Officer of Morton from
September 1976 to December 1978. He
received his commission as an Ensign
upon graduation from Purdue University in
1962. His early assignments included both
Atlantic and Pacific Fleet duty in USS
Preston (DD 795), USS Loeser (DE 680)
and as Executive Officer in USS Valor
(MSO 472).
   In January 1967 he reported to the Naval
Postgraduate School at Monterey,
California, where he received a Master of
Science Degree in Operations Research.
After attending the Naval Destroyer School
at Newport, Rhode Island, he served as
Engineer Officer in USS Lawrence (DDG 4)
and as Executive Officer in USS Mullinnix
(DD 944).
    Captain Bell then returned to the Naval
Postgraduate School for doctoral studies
and was awarded a Ph.D. in Operations
Research in December 1975. He
subsequently attended the Armed Forces
Staff College at Norfolk, Virginia. Captain Bell assumed command of USS Morton (DD 948) at
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in September 1976 and operated in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. After
being relieved of command at Yokosuka, Japan, he was assigned to the Ship Material
Readiness Group at Idaho Falls, Idaho, as an instructor in the Senior Officers’ Ship Material
Readiness Course (SOSMRC).
    Captain Bell attended the Maritime Tactical School at HMS Dryad, Portsmouth, England, in July
1981 and then reported to Commander Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT) as
Chief Staff Officer. During his duty with STANAVFORLANT, the NATO force operated over the
ocean areas between the Gulf of Mexico and the Baltic Sea.
From October 1982 to October 1985 he served in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as
Deputy Head of the Resource/Readiness Appraisal Branch (OP-914). From December 1985
through April 1987, Captain Bell commanded Destroyer Squadron TWENTY-FOUR. He
deployed to the Mediterranean with the USS America Battle Group and commanded surface
force operations in the Gulf of Sidra in April 1986. Shortly after returning from the
Mediterranean, he organized and conducted the first Atlantic Fleet Tailship Proficiency Training
in December 1986.
    From June 1987 to October 1989 he commanded Destroyer Squadron FOUR, a readiness
squadron of seventeen destroyers, frigates, and ammunition ships, in Charleston, South
Carolina. In addition to his normal duties, Captain Bell served as the Atlantic Fleet Surface
Force Representative in Charleston and coordinated the transfer of six Brooke and Garcia class
frigates to the Pakistan Navy.
    Captain Bell concluded his active Navy career as Deputy Head of the Office of Program Appraisal on the staff of the Secretary of the Navy. He retired after completing over 30 years
of active service on 30 June 1992.
    Upon retirement, Captain Bell joined the Operational Evaluation Division of the Institute for
Defense Analyses (IDA) as a member of the research staff. At IDA, he has provided analytical
support to the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation in the Office of the Secretary of
Defense. He has been actively engaged in the operational test and evaluation of new Navy
ships and combat systems, including Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) Class Guided Missile Destroyers,
Avenger (MCM 1) Class Mine Countermeasures Ships, Osprey (MHC 51) Class Minehunters,
MH-53E Mine Countermeasures Helicopters, and the Ship Self Defense System.
    Captain Bell is the son of the late Robert and Keturah Bell of Seymour, Indiana. He and his
wife, Glenda Clewis Bell, make their home in Wilmington, North Carolina. Captain Bell’s
personal decorations include four Legions of Merit and Bronze Star and Navy Commendation
Medals.
Updated: March 31, 2001