FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Alexander Bonnyman, Jr ~ October 19, 2009

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[Kathy in Alaska]

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Alexander Bonnyman, Jr.
Story from this website.

           

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Bonnyman 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 (4th from right) 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-____, 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!

[tet68]

You notice these citations never start out, Mr.X devout
Anarchist, and member of the communist party...

[PERKY2004]

Gooooooooooooooooooooood Evening! Just a quiet Sunday night here in central California. My wonderful DH flew off to Arizona earlier today, but is expected back sometime this evening -- so I'm just hanging out and playing online. I think we hit 80 again today, but now it's 77.

[Kathy in Alaska]

And rounding out the top three....AAC bags the bronze!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Sand...any Lazy boy muggings?

[SandRat]

Not yet but the evening’s early yet.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Look at you, Mooch....5th!!

Are you back into the groove after your travels?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ms b...((HUGS)...have you gotten at lease some rest? How are Minette and Jake? Mr B playing music?

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

October 19, 2009

Retirement Time

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READ: Matthew 16:24-28

Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. —Matthew 16:25

After working for 40 years as a teacher, Jane Hanson retired. She and her husband were looking forward to the arrival of their first grandchild.

Retirement is that time of life when many people simply relax, travel, or enjoy hobbies. But Jane heard about a ministry to at-risk youth in a city near her home, and she knew she had to get involved. “I realized there are kids just waiting, and I could make a difference,” she said. She began teaching English to a young Liberian man who had been forced to flee his home country because of civil war. Though he was in a safe environment, he didn’t understand the new language. Of this ministry opportunity, Jane said with a smile, “I could just go shopping to stay busy, but what fun would that be?”

Jane is making a difference. Perhaps she has learned a little of what Jesus meant when He said, “Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matt. 16:25). Giving ourselves to the Lord through helping others takes self-denial, yet one day Jesus will reward that effort (v.27).

Let’s follow Jane’s example of love for God and others—no matter what our stage of life may be.

Oh, let us be faithful to Jesus,
The faith we confessed let’s renew,
And ask Him this question each morning:
“Lord, what will You have me to do?” —Pangborn

Work for the Lord—His retirement plan is out of this world.

Bible in One Year: Isaiah 56-58; 2 Thessalonians 2

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, tet.....I have noticed that they start out much more positively. They are true heroes.

And we thank you for your service to our country.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

*HUG*
Good evening, Ma.
If I had been anymore inert yesterday, than I was, I would have been in a coma.
Lots of rest, yes.
Today, not so much.
Mr B has had a very bad day and is not feeling very well.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Perky...quite a flight hubby is on. Glad to see you are finally cooling off some.

[luvie]

What a wonderful American hero! God rest his brave soul!

His wife looked so YOUNG!....and to be a widow.....*sniff*

[Kathy in Alaska]

Prayers continue for Mr B as he works his way through this ordeal. Glad you were able to get good rest. It’s not even 6p and I need a nap. Hoping for early to bed tonight.

Call for halibut....be back in a bit.

[tet68]

I appreciate your thanks, but like most service men,I’ll
just say I did what I had to and shucks, it wasn’t nothing.
All my uncles, my grandfather and father served their
country, so did I.

When I went to Vietnam I really didn’t understand the
ideologies involved that well, after I returned I saw
a bigger picture of what we were and are involved in,
and made it my business to study history.
Now I see my own country being taken over by the ideology
I fought for so long and the struggle continues,
I grow disheartened at times but believe the American
way of life will come out on top, god help the world
if it doesn’t.

[luvie]

Good to see you and to talk to you! ;D

Tell MrB to hang in there...prayers are being said daily for him.

(((hugs))) to both of you!

[PERKY2004]

Yes, indeed! I've been waiting for autumn since May when we hit 100 for the first time this year, LOL! Tomorrow will be in the 70s, and I'm tickled pink. How are temps/weather up your way?

[luvie]

Good evening, Rus! Thanks for our beautiful lesson from God’s Word!

Hope you have a great week!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Thank you, so very much.
We have Angels working for us, I know!
I must retire, as I have to be up @ 06:30.
Thank you for your prayers, love and support.
Ms B and The Real Mr B

[luvie]

Saluting our Canteen heroes...
...and ALL those who serve with honor!

[mylife]

Gnight MsB. Rest well.