First Medal of Honor in World War II
The first Medal of Honor awarded during World War II was presented posthumously to Second Lieutenant Alexander R. Nininger on February 10, 1942. Nininger, who was born on October 30, 1918, in Atlanta, Georgia, was stationed in the Philippines as part of the American military response following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. During the early stages of the war, American forces were engaged in desperate defensive actions against a formidable Japanese military presence.
Nininger served in Company A, 57th Infantry of the Philippine Scouts during the Battle of Bataan, a critical confrontation that began on January 9, 1942. In a moment of extraordinary bravery, he led a reconnaissance patrol that was ambushed. Armed only with a rifle and grenades, he charged into enemy positions, reportedly killing at least 40 Japanese soldiers before he was fatally wounded. His actions were recognized as "above and beyond the call of duty," solidifying his legacy as a symbol of valor in a challenging period of military history. This event marked a significant moment in World War II and highlighted the sacrifices made by American soldiers in the early days of the conflict.
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First Medal of Honor in World War II
First Medal of Honor in World War II
On February 10, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to Second Lieutenant Alexander R. Nininger for giving his life during the Battle of Bataan. Nininger became the first recipient of the Medal of Honor during World War II.
After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, American forces were initially on the defensive throughout the Pacific. The United States was still transitioning from peacetime, while the Japanese had a large and battle-hardened military machine. One of Japan's first targets was the Philippines, which had been under American control since the Spanish-American War. The small American occupation force fought bravely, but it was no match for the invaders, and reinforcements were not yet available.
Alexander “Sandy” Nininger was born on October 30, 1918, in Atlanta, Georgia. After being commissioned as a second lieutenant in the infantry, he was stationed in the Philippines as his first assignment when America entered World War II. Nininger was serving in Company A, 57th Infantry of the Philippine Scouts, when the Japanese landed and the Americans were forced to establish defensive positions in what would become the famous Battle of Bataan. On January 9, 1942, the main Japanese offensive began.
The Americans sought to turn the tide of battle by committing their reserves, producing eight days of intense combat that ultimately failed to stop the Japanese advance. During this time, Lieutenant Nininger's reconnaissance patrol came under attack. Single-handedly, Nininger charged into the enemy position, armed only with a rifle and some grenades. He reportedly grabbed a Japanese machine gun and killed at least 40 enemy soldiers before he was fatally shot. For his heroism “above and beyond the call of duty,” Nininger earned the Medal of Honor.