FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Alexander Bonnyman, Jr ~ 29 April 2024

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

Alexander Bonnyman, Jr.
Story from this website.

           

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Bonnyman (May 2, 1910 - November 22, 1943) grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee and attended Princeton University where he studied engineering and established himself as a football star in his sophomore year, in part for his ferocity on the field. Dropping out of college, he worked first in the coal industry then later moved to New Mexico, where he started a copper mining business.

At the outbreak of the war, Bonnyman was exempt from any military obligation due to his age and role in running a company producing strategically vital material for the war effort. Nevertheless, he signed up for Army Air Corps flight training; he was reportedly washed out "for buzzing too many control towers". Determined to fight, he then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps as a private at Phoenix, Arizona. Bonnyman received his recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California.
Bonnyman and his assault party storming Japanese stronghold
This file is a candidate for speedy deletion. It may be deleted after seven days from the date of nomination.

In October 1942, Bonnyman sailed for the South Pacific aboard the SS Matsonia. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Guadalcanal as part of a Marine pioneer unit (akin to a lightly equipped version of an Army combat engineer group). In February 1943, he received a battlefield commission to the rank of second lieutenant in recognition of what his superiors described as exceptional leadership skills.

Bonnyman's civilian background, temperament and skills would come to play an important role at Tarawa in November 1943, where he was assigned to a shore party handling beachhead logistics. When the assault troops were pinned down by heavy enemy artillery fire at the seaward end of the long Betio Pier, on his own initiative Bonnyman organized and led five men over the open pier to the beach. There he voluntarily obtained flame throwers and demolitions and directed the blowing up of several hostile installations.

On the second day of the struggle, Bonnyman, determined to effect an opening in the enemy's strongly defended defense line, led his demolitions teams in an assault on the entrance to a huge bombproof shelter which contained approximately 150 Japanese soldiers. The enemy position was about forty yards forward of the Marine lines. Bonnyman advanced his team to the mouth of the position and killed many of the defenders. His team was forced to withdraw to replenish its supply of ammunition and grenades. Bonnyman again pressed his attack and gained the top of the structure, thereby flushing more than one hundred of its occupants into the open where they were shot down. When the Japanese fought back, the lieutenant stood at the forward edge of the position and killed several attackers before he fell mortally wounded. Betio Island was declared secured on the same day.

Bonnyman was listed as buried at sea by the Navy, but the Missing Personnel Office maintains that his body was "non-recovered"

USNS 1st LT Alex Bonnyman (T-AK-3003), 1985-2009, is named in honor of First Lieutenant Alexander Bonnyman, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

FIRST LIEUTENANT ALEXANDER BONNYMAN, JR.
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Executive Officer of the Second Battalion Shore Party, Eighth Marines, Second Marine Division, during the assault against enemy Japanese-held Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands, from 20 to November 22, 1943. Acting on his own initiative when assault troops were pinned down at the far end of Betio Pier by the overwhelming fire of Japanese shore batteries, First Lieutenant Bonnyman repeatedly defied the blasting fury of the enemy bombardment to organize and lead the besieged men over the long, open pier to the beach and then, voluntarily obtaining flame throwers and demolitions, organized his pioneer shore party into assault demolitions and directed the blowing of several hostile installations before the close of D-Day. Determined to effect an opening in the enemy's strongly organized defense line the following day, he voluntarily crawled approximately forty yards forward of our lines and placed demolitions in the entrance of a large Japanese emplacement as the initial move in his planned attack against the heavily garrisoned, bombproof installation which was stubbornly resisting despite the destruction early in the action of a large number of Japanese who had been inflicting heavy casualties on our forces and holding up our advance. Withdrawing only to replenish his ammunition, he led his men in a renewed assault, fearlessly exposing himself to the merciless slash of hostile fire as he stormed the formidable bastion, directed the placement of demolition charges in both entrances and sized the top of the bombproof position, flushing more than one hundred of the enemy who were instantly cut down and effecting the annihilation of approximately one hundred and fifty troops inside the emplacement. Assailed by additional Japanese after he had gained his objective, he made a heroic stand on the edge of the structure, defending his strategic position with indomitable determination in the face of the desperate charge and killing three of the enemy before he fell, mortally wounded. By his dauntless fighting spirit, unrelenting aggressiveness and forceful leadership throughout three days of unremitting, violent battle, First Lieutenant Bonnyman had inspired his men to heroic effort, enabling them to beat off the counterattack and break the back of hostile resistance in the sector for an immediate gain of four hundred yards with no further casualties to our forces in this zone. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

/S/HARRY S. TRUMAN

Thank you sir, for your service and sacrifice for our country!

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission!

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

((HUGS))

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: Alexander Bonnyman, Jr ~

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[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...did you bundle up and take Blue for a spin?

Ready to take on the new week?

[left that other site]

Yes!/h1>



Had to get some gas, blow the cobwebs out of the motor, and show off my new boots.

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[Chewbarkah]

Heroes like Lt. Alexander Bonnyman, Jr., deserve our eternal thanks (they certainly have mine) and must never be forgotten.

Thank you for your tireless work remembering those who gave their all for our country.

[SkyDancer]

~ Evening All! ~

~

~ Welcome To My World ~

I’m Down There Somewhere

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, radu...hope your recovery period was short this week.

Did you and Champ attack the grass?

I attacked the “bush” and I’m satisfied with what I was able to do. Someone more agile and with better balance would have done a better job, but I’m satisfied for now. LOL!

[PROCON]

Hi Kathy, thanks for tonight’s Canteen and for honoring our Hero!

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Did you get that bush in the back yard whacked down to the ground this afternoon?

I managed to mow the grass along the driveway, wearing a lot of it when finished. LOL Very windy again.
Went outside a little after 6:00 and there was NO wind! First time in almost a week and it felt strange.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Woohoo...new boots and you and Blue are ready!

What does Tippy think of seeing Blue come home?

[radu]

LOL! I didn’t see your post before I asked. Glad you were able to get the bush whacked down enough to suit you for now.

I did break Champ out and got along the driveway mowed. The rest will have to wait since it’s supposed to rain every day this week. Today would normally be recuperation day but that mowing had to be done. Tomorrow WILL be recuperation day. LOL

[left that other site]

Tippy is content to stay home when I ride. She’s such a Good Girl! :-)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome to the Canteen, Chewbarkah...glad you enjoyed this hero’s story.

We will never forget!

[radu]

Howdy, PRO.

Did you have a good week and weekend? Did you and your son hang out and do something fun - like shooting range? :-)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Janey...((HUGS))...hope you had nice restful weekend.

Our snow is melting fast with 2 full days of mostly sunshine.

[The Mayor]

April 29

Pray and Watch

Bible in a Year :

• 1 Kings 6-7
• Luke 20:27-47

Pray in the Spirit on all occasions . . . be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Ephesians 6:18 When fighting spiritual battles, believers in Jesus should take prayer seriously. A Florida woman found out how dangerous it can be, however, to practice it unwisely. When she prayed, she closed her eyes. But while driving one day and praying (with eyes shut!), she failed to stop at a stop sign, flew through an intersection, and went offroad into a homeowner’s yard. She then tried unsuccessfully to back off the lawn. Though not injured, she was given a police citation for reckless driving and property damage. This prayer warrior missed a key part of Ephesians 6:18: be alert.

As part of the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6, the apostle Paul includes two final pieces. First, we should fight spiritual battles with prayer. This means praying in the Spirit—relying on His power. Also, resting in His guidance and responding to His promptings—praying all kinds of prayers on all occasions (v. 18). Second, Paul encouraged us to “be alert.” Spiritual alertness can aid us in being prepared for Jesus’ return (Mark 13:33), gaining victory over temptation (14:38), and interceding for other believers (Ephesians 6:18).

As we fight spiritual battles daily, let’s permeate our lives with a “pray and watch” approach—combating evil powers and piercing the darkness with the light of Christ. .

Reflect & Pray

How can having a “pray and watch” mindset help you fight spiritual battles? What does it mean for you to stay spiritually alert?

Dear God, please help me to watch and pray for myself and others.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Pro...have you done your first mowing of the spring?

I’m still a couple weeks out.

[luvie]

1st Lt. Alexander Bonnyman, Jr
Born in Atlanta, GA
B.May 2, 1910 - D.November 22, 1943
US Marine Corps Reserve
Medal of Honor Recipient.
What a hero!