William R. Bond

William R. Bond
Birth name William Ross Bond
Born December 4, 1918 (1918-12-04)
Died April 1, 1970 (1970-05) (aged 51)
Bình Thủy District, South Vietnam
Place of burial Stockbridge Cemetery
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1940–1970
Rank Brigadier General
Unit 199th Infantry Brigade (Light)
Commands held 199th Infantry Brigade
Battles/wars World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War 
Awards Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Silver Star (2)
Legion of Merit (2)
Distinguished Flying Cross
Purple Heart
Air Medal (9)
Prisoner of War Medal
Order of the Crown of Thailand (Knight Commander)

William Ross "Billy" Bond (December 4, 1918 – April 1, 1970) was a United States Army brigadier general who was killed by an enemy sniper in 1970 while commanding the 199th Infantry Brigade in South Vietnam. General Bond also served in World War II with the Army Rangers and was a prisoner of war.[1]

Early life and education

William Ross "Billy" Bond[2] was raised in Maryland and Virginia. He graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor's degree in political science and history. He was also a graduate of the Army War College and other senior service schools.[3]

US Army career

General Bond enlisted in the Army in 1940. He participated in the Allied invasion of Sicily and later led his company in the Salerno landings in September 1943. On January 22, 1944, Bond's unit landed at Anzio. In a night attack at Cisterna, Bond was awarded the Silver Star, but was captured by the Germans and was held in a prisoner of war camp in Poland.

General Bond began his first tour in Vietnam in 1959 as a part of the U.S. Military Assistance Advisory Group.

In 1966, he became Chief of Staff. In 1969 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

Personal life

General Bond married Theodora Sedgwick in 1960,[3] a distant descendent of Union General John Sedgwick who was killed by a Confederate sharpshooter at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House in 1864.

Death

On April 1, 1970, Brigadier General Bond was killed by a sniper's bullet shortly after landing in his command helicopter to oversee an operation 70 miles (110 km) northeast of Saigon.[4]

His funeral was held at Arlington National Cemetery, after which he was buried in Sedgwick Pie at the Stockbridge Cemetery in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.[5]

See also

U.S Army general officers killed in action in the Vietnam War:

References

  1. "William Ross Bond, Brigadier General, United States Army". The Virtual Wall. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  2. Grant, Stephen H. (2014). Collecting Shakespeare: The Story of Henry and Emily Folger. JHU Press. p. 197. ISBN 1-421-41187-3.
  3. 1 2 "Gen. Bond Served In 'Darby's Rangers". Reading, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. May 31, 1970. p. 45. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  4. "U.S. General Killed In War". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Daytona Beach, Florida. Associated Press. April 2, 1970. p. 12. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  5. Stein, Jean; Plimpton, George, eds. (1982). Edie: American Girl (1 ed.). Grove Press. p. 9. ISBN 0-802-13410-6.
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