Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Iraq Medal and American Bronze Star pair awarded to Lance-Corporal T. E. Bond, Royal Tank Regiment

Iraq 2003, 1 clasp, 19 Mar to 28 Apr 2003 (25062151 L. Cpl. T. E. Bond, R.T.R.); United States of America, Bronze Star, unnamed as issued, in its case of issue, extremely fine (2) £1800-2200

U.S.A. Bronze Star London Gazette 9 September 2005:

‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services during the coalition operations in Iraq.’

Thomas Edward “Tommy” Bond, a native of Liverpool and formerly a pupil of De La Salle School in Croxteth, was attached as a driver to the staff of Brigadier Nigel Alwin-Foster, U.S. Army. An article on The Army Rumour Service website states:

‘This Bond’s a star. Bronze Star winner: Corporal Tommy Bond 2 R.T.R. A British tankie who ran a gauntlet of bombings and assassination attempts while protecting an American Brigadier in Baghdad has been awarded the U.S. Bronze Star for his bravery. Corporal Tommy Bond swapped his role as a Challenger 2 operator with the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment for a stint as a driver and bodyguard in Iraq earlier this year. His team was tasked with protecting a U.S. Army Brigadier responsible for overseeing the building and equipping of the fledgling Iraqi Security Services. During Corporal Bond’s tour the Brigadier’s convoy was attacked six times and on one occasion a Range Rover was destroyed by an explosion. The team was ambushed during another incident and Corporal Bind had to drive to safety with his tyres shot out. The danger didn’t stop when he was off duty. On most nights his Baghdad base came under rocket attack four or five times. “Living in the American Embassy, in what was originally Saddam’s Presidential Palace, was hard,” he said. “We were attacked so many times it became almost routine.”. Corporal Bond completed extensive training to become a member of the close protection team, honing his skills and his marksmanship with weapons including the HK53 assault rifle as well as the standard issue SA80 A2. Impressed by Corporal Bond’s professionalism, the Brigadier asked that the tank operator accompany him as a close protection team member during a tour of Bosnia due to start later this month. Corporal Bond, meanwhile, has been granted permission to wear the American medal on his uniform.’

Another article, which appeared in The Liverpool Echo, states that Bond was 36 years of age at the time of receiving his American decoration:

“I am really proud. Doing this job was a great experience and very interesting. I was his shadow for 11 months. Wherever he went, I went. To look after someone like that is a very responsible job ... One of the highlights was having my photo taken sitting in Saddam’s gold and marble throne dressed head to foot in black body armour.”

Withdrawn