Remains of 36 Marines killed on Tarawa during World War II Found

"I was very pleased to learn of the discovery of the remains of our Marines on the island of
Tarawa — one of our most significant and contested battles” of the Pacific campaign in World
War II, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford said in a news release.
Among the remains returned to the United States were those of Medal of Honor recipient Lt.
Alexander Bonnyman, Jr

View portion of Gen. Dunford's speech


Medal of Honor Citation (for Alexander Bonnyman, Jr.)

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.


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South Carolina Governor Vetoes Funds for Medal of Honor Museum. Calls it "old- fashioned pork"

Governor Haley of South Carolina vetoed a key budget item last month that included $1 million dollars toward a new Medal of Honor Museum in  South Carolina's Charleston Harbor.  Her message to all Medal of Honor recipients.

"... the budget sent to my desk contains far too many earmarks for local pork."

Local elected officials claimed the money sought was to preserve and  expand the museum currently located in the famed World War II aircraft the USS Yorktown.

Timothy Nelson Joins Medal Of Honor Museum Foundation As Vice President For Development; Will Direct $100 Million Fund Raising Campaign For New Museum

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., July 1, 2025 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation has appointed Timothy Nelson of West Columbia, SC, as its first Vice President for Development, effective July 1.

Nelson joins the Museum Foundation from Midlands Technical College in Columbia, where he served as Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation and Associate Vice President of Advancement. He will be responsible for directing the $100 million campaign to raise funds to design, build and operate the new museum and education center, to be built at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, SC.

"Members of the Museum Foundation's Board Executive Committee all were impressed by Tim's understanding of, appreciation for, and commitment to our mission," Robert C. Wilburn, President and CEO of the Museum Foundation, said. "Equally important, he brings to us a strong record of successful fund raising initiatives."

"It is an honor to be a part of this effort to create the nation's Medal of Honor Museum here in South Carolina," Nelson said. "The men and women who have received the Medal represent our country's bravest and best. To be a part of this effort to preserve their stories and to use them to inspire the nation - especially our youth - to place service above self is a once in a lifetime opportunity."

He joined Midlands Technical College in 2012; raising record donations, including the largest single gift ever received. Previously, he spent five years at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA, as Associate and then Interim Director of Development, and two years as Executive Director of Advancement at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA. The Army veteran also has significant experience in management consulting and financial planning.

He received his bachelor's degree in organizational leadership at Nyack College in New York and his MBA from Regent University.

The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation is a non-profit educational organization established to preserve and present the stories of the nation's Medal of Honor recipients; to help visitors understand what it means to put service above self; and to inspire current and future generations about the Medal's ideals of patriotism, leadership and courage.