Robert Lee Harrell was born on October 22, 1890 in Guthrie Township, Lawrence County, Indiana. He was the son of Joseph H. and Clara (Donica) Harrell and he was a farmer.

He entered the service on September 24, 1917 in Bedford, Indiana and was sent to Camp Taylor, Kentucky where he was assigned to Company L, 151st Infantry. He was transferred to Camp Shelby, Mississippi and to Company K, 162nd Infantry and then transferred to the Machine Gun Company, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. He was deployed overseas in June, 1918.

In his narration by the division commander for the Silver Star Citation Private Harrell was cited for "gallant and courageous conduct…". He was killed in action October 8, 1918 in the Argonne Forest and is now buried in Green Hill Cemetery, Bedford, Lawrence County, Indiana, USA.

There is a cenotaph for Private Harrell at the World War Memorial, Beech Grove Cemetery, Bedford, Indiana; his name is misspelled as Robert E. Harrell.

Sources: 1 Source: "Gold Star Honor Roll: A Record of Indiana Men and Women who died in the service of the United States and the Allied Nations in the World War,"" Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Commission, 1921., p. 354. 2 " Indiana Book of Merit: Official Individual Decorations and Commendations Awarded to Indiana Men and Women for Service in the World War." Comp. Harry A. Rider. Indianapolis: Historical Bureau, 1932, p. 311.