(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Van Hugo Bond (ASN: 0-18601), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with combat operations against the enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of 3d Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, in 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Bond, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) Van Hugo Bond (ASN: 0-18601), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy on 13 October 1944 while Commanding the 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division in the vicinity of Vossenack, Germany. During the advance against strongly defended enemy positions, Colonel Bond learned that a gap existed between the two assault battalions of his Regiment. Realizing that infiltrating enemy troops were threatening the vital supply lines, he promptly exposed himself to heavy enemy artillery, mortar, and small arms fire to reconnoiter the terrain and formulate a tactical plan. Observing that his troops were in need of covering fire, he personally registered one of the supporting mortars on the enemy emplacements and then quickly relayed the important information to the other guns. He directed an entire platoon of mortars in laying a devastating barrage on the enemy and then launched a renewed attack, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. Colonel Bond’s bold and fearless leadership resulted in the complete rout of the enemy and contributed materially to the re-establishing of contact between the two battalions.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Van Hugo Bond (ASN: 0-18601), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 3d Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, while temporarily attached to the 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Sicily, in July and August 1943. During a critical engagement with the enemy, Colonel Bond repeatedly demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership and bravery. He personally led attacks in the face of heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire and constantly placed himself in the most exposed positions when he felt that by so doing he could better direct the efforts of his men. Colonel Bond’s keen tactical judgment, coolness under fire, and able leadership assisted materially in his battalion’s successes. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Van Hugo Bond (ASN: 0-18601), United States 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.