Bonnyman, Alexander, Jr.
Alexander Bonnyman, Jr. was born on 2 May 1910 in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended Princeton University, briefly served as a U.S. Army Air Corps flying cadet in 1932, and worked in the coal-mine industry during the following decade. In June 1942 Bonnyman enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps from the state of New Mexico, completing basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. He was then assigned to the Sixth Marines, Second Division and served with distinction in the Guadalcanal Campaign's last weeks. His performance at that time led to a battlefield commission, receiving promotion in February 1943 to Second Lieutenant. Six months later he attained the rank of First Lieutenant.
During 20-22 November 1943, Bonnyman served as the Executive Officer of the Second Battalion Shore Party, Eighth Marines, Second Marine Division during the amphibious assault on Betio Island, part of Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands. For three consecutive days of the bloodiest fighting yet seen in the Pacific war, he bravely led his men in attacks on fiercely-defended Japanese fortifications. First Lieutenant Bonnyman was mortally wounded in an enemy counterattack near the end of the battle. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" at Tarawa, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Alexander Bonnyman, Jr. is listed on the "In Memory" marker at Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe, New Mexico and on the Wall of the Missing at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.
USNS 1st LT Alex Bonnyman (T-AK-3003), 1985-____, is named in honor of First Lieutenant Alexander Bonnyman, Jr.
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