The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*BONNYMAN, ALEXANDER, JR.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. Born:
2 May 1910, Atlanta, Ga. Accredited to: New Mexico.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty as Executive Officer of the 2d Battalion Shore Party, 8th Marines, 2d Marine
Division, during the assault against enemy Japanese-held Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands,
20-22 November 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, 1st Lt.
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
demolitionists 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 40 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
seized the top of the bombproof position, flushing more than 100 of the enemy who were
instantly cut down, and effecting the annihilation of approximately 150 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 3 of the enemy
before he fell, mortally wounded. By his dauntless fighting spirit, unrelenting
aggressiveness and forceful leadership throughout 3 days of unremitting, violent battle,
1st Lt. Bonnyman had inspired his men to heroic effort, enabling them to beat off the
counterattack and break the back of hostile resistance in that sector for an immediate
gain of 400 yards with no further casualties to our forces in this zone. He gallantly gave
his life for his country. |
