John Bonsall was a member of an elite international unit, including 82 Americans, that parachuted into France, Belgium and Holland ahead of Allied Armies on and after D-Day, to organize resistance. These special operators were code named “Jedburghs”. Roger Coat and Captain John Bonsall were members of Jedburgh Team Augustus, and were captured with a French member of the team, wearing civilian clothes and with forged documents. All three members of the team were executed on the spot by their German captors.
Sponsored by:
John
Halsey
Bonsall
KIA (WWII)
June 11, 1919
–
August 30, 1944
Cemetery:
A.B.M.C. Epinal
Awards Received
-
Distinguished Service Cross
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major (Infantry)Division:
Office of Strategic ServicesAction Date:
August 15 – 30, 1944
Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 61 (April 12, 1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Major (Infantry) John Halsey Bonsall (ASN: 0-413060), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Jedburgh Team Augustus, Office of Strategic Services, in action against enemy forces in enemy-occupied France, from 15 to 30 August 1944. Major Bonsall, after having been parachuted into the battle area, made his way through enemy infested regions and set up his headquarters. He established radio contacts immediately with the Allies, supplying valuable information regarding the armed requirements of the resistance forces in the area and the location of enemy troops and installations. Receiving word of the approach of the Allied armies, Major Bonsall went through the enemy lines to deliver intelligence to the advancing columns. This action through this dangerous assignment, reflects great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.