BOND, Pfc. Jerold Richard

BOND, HOLUB

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/14/2013 at 06:12:23

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Monday, September 25, 1944, Page 3

Pfc. Jerold Bond Was Killed In Action in France, Aug. 18

Overseas Since May, 1943,
Had Served in Africa and Italy

Pfc. Jerold R. Bond, whose wife and son, Jimmie, live with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James H. Holub, 530 11th N. E., was killed in action in France on Aug. 18, according to a telegram received from the war department Sunday. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Bond, 302 12th S. E.

Pfc. Bond entered the service in January, 1943, and went overseas in May of the same year. Before serving in France he had been in Africa and Italy. He was with the armored division.

Prior to entering the service, Pfc. Bond was employed at Jacob E. Decker & Sons. He has 2 brothers serving with the army air forces, Cpl. Lloyd Bond, airplane mechanic at Grenier field, N. H., and Cpl. Howard Bond, recently graduated from AAF gunnery school at Fort Meyers, Fla.

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The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Thursday, March 08, 1945, Page 15

Purple Heart and Silver Star Given Posthumously to Bond

Citation Letters Tell How Soldier Met Death on Battlefield, France

The purple heart and silver star for gallantry in action that cost him his life have been awarded posthumously to Pfc. Jerold R. Bond, killed in action in France last August. The purple heart decoration was received here in January by Mrs. Bond, who with her 3-year-old son Jimmie, makes her home with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James H. Holub, 530 11th N. E. A letter from Pfc. Bond’s division chaplain was also received by Mrs. Bond.

“At the request of the president,” wrote Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson to Mrs. Bond, “I write to inform you that the purple heart has been awarded posthumously to your husband, Pfc. Jerold R. Bond, cavalry, who sacrificed his life in defense of his country.”

The citation accompanying the silver star award read as follows:

“For gallantry in action. On Aug. 18, 1944, near . . . France, when his platoon was subjected to severe small arms and mortar fire from a company of advancing enemy infantry, Pfc. Bond left his position of partial cover and moved out on an exposed road.

“Here he set up and fired his mortar at the advancing enemy, causing them to disperse and seek cover. He then moved, still exposed, toward the rear for more ammunition, when he was struck and mortally wounded by small weapons fire. Largely because of his courageous action the enemy attack was broken and his platoon was able to continue the advance”

“Jerold was laid to rest in a beautifully located cemetery [Rhone American Cemetery, Draguigan, France] that is kept spick and span,” wrote Chaplain Ralph J. Smith of the 3rd infantry division. “Full military honors and a religious service conducted by myself were rendered at his graveside.” The chaplain added that he was not allowed to divulge any information than that given.

Pfc. Bond entered the service in Jan., 1943, and went overseas in May of that year. Besides France, he had served in Africa and Italy

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2013

Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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