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Remarks on Presenting the Congressional Medal of Honor to Nine Members of the Armed Forces.

October 15, 1973

 

 

 

 

STAFF SERGEANT JAMES L. BONDSTEEL
UNITED STATES ARMY

for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: Staff Sergeant James L. Bondsteel, United States Army, distinguished himself on 24 May 1969 while serving as a platoon sergeant with Company A, 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, near the village of Lang Sau, An Loc Province, Republic of Vietnam. Company A was directed to assist a friendly unit which was endangered by intense fire from a North Vietnamese Battalion located in a heavily fortified base camp. Sergeant Bondsteel quickly organized the men of his platoon into effective combat teams and spearheaded the attack by destroying four enemy occupied bunkers. He then raced some 200 meters under heavy enemy fire to reach an adjoining platoon which had begun to falter. After rallying this unit and assisting their wounded, Sergeant Bondsteel returned to his own sector with critically needed munitions. Without pausing he moved to the forefront and destroyed four enemy occupied bunkers and a machine gun which had threatened his advancing platoon. Although painfully wounded by an enemy grenade, Sergeant Bondsteel refused medical attention and continued his assault by neutralizing two more enemy bunkers nearby. While searching one of these emplacements Sergeant Bondsteel narrowly escaped death when an enemy soldier detonated a grenade at close range. Shortly thereafter, he ran to the aid of a severely wounded officer and struck down an enemy soldier who was threatening the officer's life. Sergeant Bondsteel then continued to rally his men and to lead them through the entrenched enemy until his company was relieved. His exemplary leadership and great personal courage throughout the four hour battle ensured the success of his own and nearby units, and resulted in the saving of numerous lives of his fellow soldiers. By individual acts of bravery he destroyed ten enemy bunkers and accounted for a large toll of the enemy, including two key enemy commanders. Staff Sergeant Bondsteel's conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary heroism at the risk of his life are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit and the United States Army.

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