Editor's Note: I not only had the privilege to meet him but I also shook his hand. I am honored.
VandeLinde, Bobby L.
Department of the Army
Permanent Orders No. 118-02 - 28 April 2011
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 9 July 1918 (amended by act of 25 July 1963), has awarded the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Bobby L. VandeLinde, 187th Infantry Regiment (Airborne) for gallantry in action on 22 October 1950, while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment (Airborne), near Sukchon, Korea while leading an eight-man forward outpost and protecting his company from a surprise attack. As Sergeant VandeLinde moved from protected cover to silence a wounded enemy soldier who was attempting to guide an attack in his direction, he was confronted by a large attacking force, estimated at over two-hundred strong. Despite enemy small arms fire and grenade explosions, he engaged the enemy, killing several and disrupting their fierce assault. Wounded and knocked to the ground, he continued to resist, killing another enemy soldier who had stabbed him. As his unit was being overrun he moved back to warn his commanding officer of the impending attack, allowing his company to regroup and prepare for the enemy assault. With the warning from Sergeant VandeLinde, the unit was able to successfully meet and repel the enemy attack. Sergeant VandeLinde's actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 187th Infantry Regiment (Airborne) and the United States Army.
Col. Sherman Weisinger presented the Silver Star to Bob VandeLinde July 22, 2011 in a ceremony at the National D-Day Memorial.
[note: Bob VandeLinde received the Silver Star in 2011 during a ceremony at the National D-Day Memorial, stating, "I accept this medal humbly and with a sense of pride. I merely acted and reacted to circumstances for which I was trained. I will accept the Silver Star on behalf of the seven other guys who fended off an enemy attack by North Koreans." VandeLinde is the only one of the eight who is still living.]
Department of the Army
Permanent Orders No. 118-02 - 28 April 2011
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 9 July 1918 (amended by act of 25 July 1963), has awarded the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Bobby L. VandeLinde, 187th Infantry Regiment (Airborne) for gallantry in action on 22 October 1950, while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment (Airborne), near Sukchon, Korea while leading an eight-man forward outpost and protecting his company from a surprise attack. As Sergeant VandeLinde moved from protected cover to silence a wounded enemy soldier who was attempting to guide an attack in his direction, he was confronted by a large attacking force, estimated at over two-hundred strong. Despite enemy small arms fire and grenade explosions, he engaged the enemy, killing several and disrupting their fierce assault. Wounded and knocked to the ground, he continued to resist, killing another enemy soldier who had stabbed him. As his unit was being overrun he moved back to warn his commanding officer of the impending attack, allowing his company to regroup and prepare for the enemy assault. With the warning from Sergeant VandeLinde, the unit was able to successfully meet and repel the enemy attack. Sergeant VandeLinde's actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 187th Infantry Regiment (Airborne) and the United States Army.
Col. Sherman Weisinger presented the Silver Star to Bob VandeLinde July 22, 2011 in a ceremony at the National D-Day Memorial.
[note: Bob VandeLinde received the Silver Star in 2011 during a ceremony at the National D-Day Memorial, stating, "I accept this medal humbly and with a sense of pride. I merely acted and reacted to circumstances for which I was trained. I will accept the Silver Star on behalf of the seven other guys who fended off an enemy attack by North Koreans." VandeLinde is the only one of the eight who is still living.]
