Born: September 5, 1916 Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class, United States Naval Reserve
HOSPITAL CORPS, USNR, 2ND MARINE DIVISION, FLEET MARINE FORCE
Home or Place of Enlistment: Boise, Idaho Participated in actions at Tarawa and Saipan. Date of Loss: July 11, 1944
Killed in Action while conducting combat operations against Imperial Japanese Forces during the Battle of Saipan, Mariana Islands.
SILVER STAR CITATION
Action Date: November 21, 1943; Service: Navy; Rank: Hospitalman Apprentice First Class; Company: Corpsman (Attached); Battalion: 2d Medical Battalion; Regiment: Division Service Troops; Division: 2d Marine Division
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospitalman Apprentice First Class Beecher O. Bond, United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Hospital Corpsman attached to the Second Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces on Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, 21 November 1943, while serving with the Second Medical Battalion, Division Service Troops, Second Marine Division. Displaying exceptional courage and initiative while under continuous cross fire of enemy machine gun and sniper fire at close range and with absolute disregard for his own personal safety, he established a first aid station and provided medical aid and cover for many wounded Marines. His devotion to duty and heroic action under the most adverse conditions resulted in the saving of many lives, and was an inspiration to all men who observed his actions. His great bravery and extraordinary heroism in the face of enemy fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
NAVY PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY Washington
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the
SECOND MARINE DIVISION (REINFORCED)
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION : For outstanding performance in combat during the seizure and occupation of the Japanese-held Atoll of Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, November 20 to 24, 1943. Forced by treacherous coral reefs to disembark from their landing craft hundreds of yards off the beach, the Second Marine Division (Reinforced) became a highly vulnerable target for devastating Japanese fire. Dauntlessly advancing in spite of rapidly mounting losses, the Marines fought a gallant battle against crushing odds, clearing the limited beachheads of snipers and machine guns, reducing powerfully fortified enemy positions and completely annihilating the fanatically determined and strongly entrenched Japanese forces. By the successful occupation of Tarawa, the Second Marine Division (Reinforced) has provided our forces with highly strategic and important air and land bases from which to continue future operations against the enemy; by the valiant fighting spirit of these men, their heroic fortitude under punishing fire and their relentless perseverance in waging this epic battle in the Central Pacific, they have upheld the finest tradition of the United States Naval Service.