Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation Welcomes Nahsir Knight-Bell as Gold Star Fellow

Knight-Bell joins Operation Jawbreaker Fellowship Program, carrying forward the family's legacy of service and sacrifice

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial Foundation announced today that Nahsir Knight-Bell has joined the revered Operation Jawbreaker Fellowship Program as the newest Gold Star Child Fellow in honor of his father, 1st Sgt. Russell R. Bell, who was Killed in Action in August 2012.

"I am honored to welcome Nahsir to the Operation Jawbreaker Fellowship Program," said GWOT Memorial Foundation President and CEO Michael "Rod" Rodríguez. "The bravery that our Gold Star Child Fellows hold is something I am incredibly proud to witness. His perseverance and responsibility are admirable beyond words and embody our mission. We are grateful to have him on board."

A native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Knight-Bell is driven by a passion for service and personal growth. In 2023, he experienced another profound loss with the unexpected passing of his mother. Since then, he has embraced the responsibility of raising his younger brother. Nahsir is a 2025 graduate of Methodist University, earning a bachelor's degree in business administration with a minor in Management. He will begin his MBA at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in Spring 2026. Nahsir remains steadfast in building a future that honors his family's sacrifices and is a foundation of inspiration and leadership for his siblings and community.

The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation's Jawbreaker Fellowship Program is named after Operation Jawbreaker, which was the previously classified operation that deployed CIA personnel to Afghanistan as the first boots on the ground just fifteen days after September 11th, 2001. The program's name honors the contributions that non-uniformed personnel have made in the Global War on Terrorism, instilling unity between military and non-military personnel around the organization's mission of building the National Global War on Terrorism Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

The Jawbreaker Fellowship Program reflects its commitment to representing diverse experiences and backgrounds. The program plays a crucial role in creating a legacy, ensuring that even after the Memorial is built, awareness of the Global War on Terrorism, its heroes, and its profound impact on history continues to grow.

Knight-Bell joins current Fellows Scott DeLuzio, Stephen Ross, and Ganpat "Gunner" Wagh, who joined the program in January 2025, and succeeds Megan Taylor as the newest Gold Star Fellow.

About the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation

Formed in 2015 by veterans, military spouses, and supportive Americans, the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial Foundation is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization designated by Congress to lead the effort to plan, fund, and build the GWOT Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Its sole mission is to build a reverent and apolitical National War Memorial that will honor all who have served and sacrificed in the ongoing Global War on Terrorism. This includes uniformed and non-uniformed veterans, as well as the families who have supported them throughout this incredibly complex war fought by so few. The Memorial will allow Americans to honor, heal, be empowered, and unite. The Memorial is being funded entirely by donations; by law, no federal government funding will be used. All donations are 100% tax deductible. Learn more by visiting our website https://www.gwotmemorialfoundation.org/. And be sure to follow our progress on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation