BG William Billy Bond

William Ross ("Billy") Bond enlisted in the Army in 1940, graduating from Officer Candidate School in 1942. Following a stint with the 82nd Airborne in North Africa, he was assigned to the US Army 1st Ranger Battalion the unit to which was nicknamed "Darby's Rangers" after their commanding officer, Colonel William Orlando Darby. He participated in the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943 and in September led his company in the Salerno, Italy landings. On January 22, 1944, Bond's unit landed South of Rome at Anzio. In a night attack at Cisterna, he was captured by the Germans and was held in a prisoner of war camp in Poland. For his actions he was awarded the Silver Star.

William Bond began his first tour in South Vietnam in 1959 as a part of the U.S. Military Assistance Advisory Group. (MAAG) . He would move through the middle officer ranks and then received a promotion to Brigadier General.

While commanding the 199th Infantry Brigade, on April 1, 1970, during Operation Toan Thang IV, Bond was killed by a sniper's bullet shortly after landing in his command helicopter to oversee an operation in Bình Th y District, 37 miles (60 km) north-northwest of Hàm Tân District.

William Ross "Billy" Bond was raised in Maryland and Virginia. He graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor's degree in political science and history. He also graduated from Officer Candidate School (OCS), Infantry Advanced Course, Command & General Staff College, and the United States Army War College.

Highlights, Assignments
Reconnaissance Troop Platoon Leader, 82nd, Airborne Division, North Africa
Commander, 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Italy
Special Reconnaissance Attachment, Soviet Army (after escaping a POW camp), Poland
Battalion Commander, 7th Division, Korea
G3, 7th Division, Korea
Universal Military Experiment, Fort Knox
Member of Truce Supervision Team, U.S. Delegation to the United Nations, Palestine
Instructor, Ranger Training Command, Fort Benning, Georgia
Battalion Commander, 8th Division, Germany
Operations Staff Officer, Joint U.S. Headquarters, Germany
Division Plans and Operations Officer, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell
Commander, 501st Airborne Battle Group
Military Assistance Advisory Group, South Vietnam
Deputy Chief of Staff For Operations, Military Assistance Advisory Group, South Vietnam
Worked under the Chief of Staff, U.S. Army
Chief of Plans and Policy, The Pentagon
Deputy Director of Special Warfare, The Pentagon
Commander, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne, Fort Campbell, Kentucky
J3, Military Assistance Command, Thailand
Deputy Director for the International and Civil Affairs, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Operations, The Pentagon
Commander, 199th Light Infantry Brigade, Vietnam

Awards
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Awarded for Actions During Vietnam War to Brigadier General William R. Bond.
GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Brigadier General William Ross Bond (ASN: 0-1012727), United States Army, for eminently meritorious service to the Government in a position of great responsibility from November 1969 to April 1970 while serving as Commanding General, 199th Infantry Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam. Throughout this period General Bond consistently exhibited extraordinary professionalism and unparalleled dedication in commanding his brigade. Upon assuming command he directed and supervised a study of the problems of the brigade which resulted in changes that made the 199th Brigade a more responsive and effective combat unit. He immediately reorganized the tactical surveillance which enabled early detection of enemy infiltration. By his unrelenting efforts in the pacification program, he established an enviable rapport between elements of American Forces and citizens of the Republic of Vietnam. With untiring devotion he met the challenge of training and supplying brigade forces for efficient deployment to the dense jungles of Long Khanh province. He expanded the intelligence program and by working in coordination with Vietnamese officials and advisory personnel, he improved province and district level intelligence centers to react rapidly to important intelligence information. As a result of General Bond's outstanding leadership in this area, overall combat effectiveness of selected Vietnamese forces increased immensely. He continually emphasized combined operations with Vietnamese Forces and thus significantly influenced the overall security of the area. His leadership and tactical expertise resulted in an impressive increase in the pacification of Long Khanh province. General Bond continued to implement his pacification program which successfully encouraged South Vietnamese villagers to assume the initiative for their own defense. His dedicated devotion to his men and his concern for their welfare often led him to the battle are to comfort and direct them. It was while he was on the battlefield that he was mortally wounded. In all endeavors General Bond proved himself to be a superior soldier, a remarkable leader and an astute tactician. General Bond's unwavering loyalty, allegiance and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 199th Infantry Brigade, and the United States Army.

Silver Star
Awarded for Actions During World War II to Captain William Bond.
Battalion: 1st Ranger Battalion
GENERAL ORDERS: Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 322 (December 24, 1945)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Cavalry) William R. Bond (ASN: 0-1012727), United States Army, for gallantry in action while Commanding Company A, First Ranger Battalion, near Cisterna De Littoria, Italy, on 29 January 1944. When the First Ranger Battalion was ordered to infiltrate through the enemy lines and capture the town of Cisterna De Littoria and after traveling five miles through enemy territory, had reached a point approximately 660 yards south of the town, the enemy became alerted and directed intense rifle and machine gun fire on the raiders. Captain Bond led his company into a position facing the entrenched enemy 200 yards away, then disregarding his own safety from enemy machine gun, mortar and artillery fire, he constantly exposed himself to enemy fire in order to visit his company positions and direct their fire, and during one enemy attack on his position, he procured a rifle and destroyed fifteen of the enemy. Then upon learning that all the officers of Company F had been killed and the Battalion Commander wounded, Captain Bond continued to expose himself by visiting that portion of the line occupied by Company F in order to direct their fire and encourage their efforts. By his coolness and gallantry in continually exposing himself to withering enemy fire, Captain Bond was an inspiration to all who witnessed his actions. Captain Bond's gallant actions and selfless devotion to duty, without regard for his own safety, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Silver Star
Awarded for Actions During Vietnam War to Brigadier General William Bond.
GENERAL ORDERS:
Brigadier General William Ross Bond (ASN: 0-1012727), United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy while serving as Commanding General, 199th Infantry Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam.

Legion of Merit
Awarded for Actions During Vietnam War to Colonel William Bond.
GENERAL ORDERS: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 11 (March 26, 1965)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) William Ross Bond (ASN: 0-1012727), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in positions of responsibility as Chief, Plans and Policies Division, Special Warfare Directorate, and then as Deputy Director of Special Warfare, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Operations, Headquarters, Department of the Army, during the period July 1962 to May 1964. Colonel Bond demonstrated outstanding ability as a military leader, administrator, planner, and diplomat during a period of rapid expansion and intense national-level emphasis upon special warfare techniques. He was highly effective in fulfilling responsibilities which included the development and review of plans and policies on the Army, joint, and interdepartmental levels covering doctrine, organization, training, operations, logistics, personnel, public information, research and development for unconventional warfare, psychological operations, and counterinsurgency. Through his discernment, rare foresight, and professional acumen, he insured the development and implementation of sound Army policy and rendered services which were of benefit to other elements of the Department of Defense as well as to the Army. By his personal example, thorough knowledge of staff procedures, and dedicated devotion to duty, he engendered maximum effort among staff members and contributed materially to the efficient administration of the Army's manifold special warfare responsibilities. Colonel Bond's outstanding achievements and distinguished performance of duty throughout this period are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Legion of Merit
Awarded for Actions During Vietnam War to Colonel William Bond.
GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) William Ross Bond (ASN: 0-1012727), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from August 1965 to August 1967. As Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and later as Chief of Staff, United States Military Assistance Command, Thailand, Colonel Bond displayed singularly outstanding military professionalism and leadership in the conception, planning and introduction of the Royal Thai Armed Forces of new concepts for management and organization enhancing the effectiveness of the counterinsurgency effort and the Military Assistance Program for Thailand. The bilateral force development program, bilateral training development program and combat readiness reporting system instituted through his efforts have contributed significantly to the modernization of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. He orchestrated USMACTHAI activities which resulted in timely United States Force deployment, the success of which is manifested by the effective United States Air Force air operations launched from Thailand, and the training assistance provided by United States Army Special Forces elements. As military representative to United States Mission Planning Groups, he was instrumental in forging exceptionally effective mission integrated United States military programs for the support of the Thai Counterinsurgency effort. He provided superb executive leadership of the Joint Staff which significantly expedited the work of the headquarters and greatly facilitated accomplishment of the command mission. Colonel Bond's distinguished performance of duty during this period represents outstanding achievement and reflects the utmost credit upon himself, the Military Service and the United States.

Distinguished Flying Cross
Awarded for Actions During Vietnam War to Brigadier General William Bond.

Brigadier General William Ross Bond (ASN: 0-1012727), United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commanding General, 199th Infantry Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam.

Prisoner of War Medal
Awarded for Actions During World War II to Captain William Bond.
GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
Captain (Cavalry) William Ross Bond (ASN: 0-1012727), United States Army, was captured during fighting in Italy on or about 29 January 1944, and was held by the Germans as a Prisoner of War until his successful escape from captivity on or about 21 January 1945.

Artifacts: Vietnam era BG fatigue shirt. This shirt has been 'field modified' with his previous rank of colonel removed and a single star denoting his promotion to Brigadier General taking its place.
#Leadership #Duty #LifelongLearning #Prisonerofwar #killedinaction

BG William Billy Bond

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