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Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserves.
Birth: 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.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
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