Tony At 10: MARINES: BLOG # 191;FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2015

THE MESSAGE:

Thanks, largely to the efforts of 'History Flight', the remains of 36 U.S. Marines, killed 70 years ago in a WWII battle, were recovered on a remote pacific island.

History Flight is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and honouring American WWII, Vietnam and Gulf-War veterans, . This volunteer organization has accomplished much with the support of corporations, foundations, and the general public.

Tarawa is located in the South Pacific and is one of the islands of the Republic of Kiribati, formerly the Gilbert Islands.

THE DISCOVERY ---excerpts from Sasha Goldstein NY Daily News---

The bodies of 36 U.S. Marines, including Medal of Honor recipient First Lt. Alexander Bonnyman Jr., were discovered on the remote Island of Tarawa in the Republic of Kiribati, (Gilbert Islands). The Marines were killed during a fierce fight more than 70 years against Japanese forces of WWII.

First Lt. Alexander
Bonnyman Jr.

The missing Marines were declared “unrecoverable” in 1949 by the Quartermaster General’s Office. But a 10-year, multi-million dollar effort by the History Flight organization culminated in the historic and emotional find in May.

The location of Cemetery 27 has been one of Tarawa’s most challenging historical puzzles. History Flight’s discovery and recovery of the site is a testament to the tenacity and professionalism with which it has searched for all the missing Tarawa Marines. Among those on scene for the recovery was Bonnyman’s grandson, Clay Bonnyman Evans.

None of the bodies have been officially identified, but DNA comparisons and dental records will be used to do so. History Flight continues its efforts to obtain DNA matches from families of the Tarawa missing.

The ferocious battle left many dead across the sands at Tarawa. Many American military members remain buried on the remote atoll. All told more than 1,000 Americans and 5000 Japanese died in Kiribati, in the 1943 Battle of Tarawa.

BONNEYMAN'S HEROICS AND THE SPEECH PRESENTING HIS MEDAL OF HONOR.

"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 destruction 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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