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Medal of Honor recipient Army MSG James Leroy Bondsteel
Congressional Medal of Honor
Episode 2814 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Army MSG James Leroy Bondsteel and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story appeared on the History Net website and was titled: James Leroy Bondsteel. This article appeared on Wikipedia and was submitted by an anonymous writer.
In the story it was reported that: James Leroy Bondsteel was born in Jackson, Michigan to Betty Jean Daisy and her fiancé, Kenneth Bondsteel. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1965 after graduating from Jonesville High School in Jonesville, Michigan.
Bondsteel enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1965 and was sent to Korea where he contributed his time to an orphanage. When his hitch in the Marine Corps ended, he then enlisted the United States Army, serving until his retirement in 1985. In 1969, he was deployed to Vietnam with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division where he received the Medal of Honor for his actions occurring May 24, 1969 near An Lộc, South Vietnam during Operation Toan Thang III. During his time in Vietnam, Bondsteel learned to speak Vietnamese and could differentiate between different regional dialects.
Parts of Bondsteel’s Medal of Honor Citation read as follows: His exemplary leadership and great personal courage throughout the 4-hour battle ensured the success of his own and nearby units, and resulted in the saving of numerous lives of his fellow soldiers. By individual acts of bravery he destroyed 10 enemy bunkers and accounted for a large toll of the enemy, including 2 key enemy commanders. His extraordinary heroism at the risk of his life was in the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Listen to episode 2814 and discover more about Army MSG James Leroy Bondsteel and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.
