The plaque for this Medal of Honor recipient reads:
"In Memory of James Leroy Bondsteel
July 18, 1947 - April 9. 1987
James L. Bondsteel was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty at an LOC Province, Republic of Vietnam, 24 May 1969. While under fire, and despite his serious wounds, Sgt. Bondsteel destoryed 10 enemy bunkers, saved numerous lives and ensured the success of his unit. Jim Bondsteel was killed in a tragic automobile accident in Alaska on April 9, 1987"
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"James Leroy Bondsteel
July 18, 1947(1947-07-18) – April 9, 1987 (aged 39)
Medal of Honor
Place of birth Jackson, Michigan
Place of death Houston, Alaska
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Rank Master Sergeant
Unit 1st Infantry Division
Battles/wars Vietnam
Awards Medal of Honor
James L. Bondsteel (July 18, 1947 – April 9, 1987) was a United States Army soldier that served during the Vietnam War, where he earned the Medal of Honor. Camp Bondsteel, located in Kosovo, is named in his honor. His Medal of Honor was the last presented by President Richard Nixon.
Biography
Bondsteel was born in Jackson, Michigan, and entered the army in Detroit. He served in Vietnam during 1969 and 1970, assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. He received the Medal of Honor for actions taking place on May 24, 1969, in An Loc Province, Republic of Vietnam. After his retirement from the army, Bondsteel held various jobs, finally settling near Anchorage, Alaska, in the small town of Houston. He died near Wasilla, Alaska, in 1987 when a load of logs fell from a truck onto his moving vehicle.
SSG Bondsteel is buried in Alaska at Fort Richardson National Cemetery. There is a monument to him at the State of Alaska Veterans Memorial at Byers Lake on the Parks Highway.[1] Camp Bondsteel, the main U.S. Army base in Kosovo is named in his honor.
Medal of Honor citation
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. Bondsteel distinguished himself while serving as a platoon sergeant with Company A, near the village of Lang Sau. Company A was directed to assist a friendly unit which was endangered by intense fire from a North Vietnamese Battalion located in a heavily fortified base camp. S/Sgt. Bondsteel quickly organized the men of his platoon into effective combat teams and spearheaded the attack by destroying 4 enemy occupied bunkers. He then raced some 200 meters under heavy enemy fire to reach an adjoining platoon which had begun to falter. After rallying this unit and assisting their wounded, S/Sgt. Bondsteel returned to his own sector with critically needed munitions. Without pausing he moved to the forefront and destroyed 4 enemy occupied bunkers and a machine gun which had threatened his advancing platoon. Although painfully wounded by an enemy grenade, S/Sgt. Bondsteel refused medical attention and continued his assault by neutralizing 2 more enemy bunkers nearby. While searching one of these emplacements S/Sgt. Bondsteel narrowly escaped death when an enemy soldier detonated a grenade at close range. Shortly thereafter, he ran to the aid of a severely wounded officer and struck down an enemy soldier who was threatening the officer's life. S/Sgt. Bondsteel then continued to rally his men and led them through the entrenched enemy until his company was relieved. 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 the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army."