Van H. Bond

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Van H. Bond (0-18601), Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. During the attack of the 39th Infantry against strongly held enemy positions in the vicinity of Troina, Sicily, on 4 August 1943, Lieutenant Colonel Bond, Commanding the 3d Battalion, which was spearheading the assault of the Regiment, exhibited outstanding gallantry in action. Moving forward at the head of the attacking echelon of his battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Bond personally supervised the maneuvering of his troops. When the position held by his assault company in the vicinity of Hill 1190 was being relentlessly counter-attacked by the enemy, seeing that their position was in danger of being overrun by the surging enemy troops, and with complete disregard for personal safety, he moved to a forward observation post where he could observe enemy emplacements and direct counter-battery. Although the observation post was under constant direct hostile artillery, machine gun and small arms fire, he refused to leave his position and was able to locate and bring fire on the enemy gun positions. The resultant fire silenced the guns and enabled the company to bring their weapons into play smashing the counter-attack. Lieutenant Colonel Bond’s personal courage, coolness and bravery were an inspiration to the men of his command and are outstanding examples of the highest ideas of the military service.