Bones of My Grandfather: Reclaiming a Lost Hero of World War II, my book about my grandfather and the recovery of his remains from Tarawa, is now available at bookstores and online retailers everywhere.
To learn more about the book, go to bonesofmygrandfather.com.
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My grandfather, Marine 1st Lt. Alexander Bonnyman, Jr., was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor following his death at Tarawa on Nov. 22, 1943. Read the citation
That bloody 76-hour battle took more than 1,100 American and 5,000 Japanese lives (including forced Korean laborers). Although little known by Americans today, it was a critical first demonstration of the full-scale amphibious assault that would become a lynchpin in the “island hopping” campaign toward the Japanese home islands.
The Medal of Honor.
Because of the sheer number of bodies and blazing tropical heat, the remains of the dead were hastily interred in trenches, identified by makeshift markers.
“Betio would have been more habitable if the Marines could leave for a few days and send a million buzzards in,” LIFE magazine reporter Robert Sherrod famously reported in his eyewitness account.
However, the priority was on rebuilding the bomb-shattered airfield in preparation for the attack on the Marshall Islands, and many of the markers were lost or destroyed. With the departure of the Second Marine Division just days after the fighting ended, no one was left to locate the graves.
In 1946, U.S. Army Graves Registration returned to survey the island and recover remains. However, just more than half of the bodies were found and the military subsequently tried to sweep the issue under the rug, going so far as to lie to families of the dead. Alexander Bonnyman is just one of four Medal of Honor recipients from the battle whose remains have not been recovered.
Seven decades later, and thanks mostly to the hard work of the private, non-profit History Flight Inc. — and often, despite the efforts of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, tasked with locating and repatriating remains — more than 120 sets of American remains have now been recovered.
On May 29, 2015, I was present when the History Flight team recovered the body of my grandfather. All told, our team recovered 46 sets of remains from the long-lost site of Cemetery 27 on the north side of Betio. My grandfather was the first of these to be re-interred, in his hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, next to his siblings and parents. Since then dozens of other Marines recovered by History Flight from Cemetery 27 have been laid to rest in the United States. This site contains many stories about this work and the recovery of my grandfather.
I have been to Tarawa six times since 2010, and am currently marketing a book about my grandfather’s story, before, during and after the battle, the military’s decades-long mismanagement of the situation, the state of Tarawa today, evolving ideas about heroism, and more.
In the meantime, here is some writing I’ve published about Tarawa and my grandfather:
“Entombed in Tarawa: Mission could bring home remains of WWII Marine,” Santa Fe New Mexican.
“Pilgrimage to a distant shore,” Princeton Alumni Weekly.
“Hallowed ground,” Boulder, Colo Daily Camera
Other Media
Here is a CNN report broadcast while I was on the island at the time. Here is a story written by CNN’s John Torigoe about my time on the island.
Here is a story from the Knoxville News-Sentinel about my trip.
A story about a presentation I made about my grandfather in Knoxville on May 2, 2011, which would have been his 101st birthday.
“With the Marines at Tarawa,” 1944 Oscar-winning documentary
Semper Fi Lt. I was on Tarawa in Sept 2009. It sure was different that Nam. God Bless You and your Family. WELCOME HOME!!!
Thank you, Master Sergeant Hicks. I’ve not been to Vietnam, but Tarawa is certainly a unique place.
Clay,
I just wanted to publically acknowledge the incredible pride I feel at this moment at the return of distant cousin “Sandy” to his hometown of Knoxville, Tenn. Every time I now stand in front of my history 6th graders at Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle School in Alexandria, VA I am so grateful for the freedom that I can enjoy because of the sacrifice of one man, as you have written, simply doing his duty. -Cousin Nat White, Grandson of E Janet Bonnyman
Thank you, Nat.
As a former Marine, and as a graduate of 1stLt Bonnyman’s alma mater, I have twice followed in his footsteps. I am pleased that he has been returned to his family after all these years. His memory is preserved in the hearts and minds of those inspired by his distinguished service and sacrifice. Semper Fidelis.
Thank you so much for writing. The Bonnyman family very much appreciates your kind words.
“HERO” – A MYTHOLOGICAL OR LEGENDARY FIGURE OF DIVINE DECENT ENDOWED WITH GREAT STRENGTH AND ABILITY, A WARRIOR, A MAN OR WOMEN ADMIRED FOR HIS OR HER ACHIEVEMENTS AND NOBLE QUALITIES, ONE WHO SHOW GREAT COURAGE. THEY ARE KNOWN TO COME IN ALL SIZES, SHAPES AND COLORS.
I am a retired vietnam marine . I am very glad that 1lt Alexander bonnyman and his family are finally getting closure they deserve . I am sure lt bonnyman was a great leader and inspiration to his family and to the marines that he led. I hope he finds peace in his final resting place. Where I have not in my return from vietnam . Semper fi
I am sorry to hear that you have not found peace in your return from Vietnam, Mr. Vaughn. I hope, somehow, that you will. Thank you for these kind words from the family of Lt. Bonnyman.
I just posted a reply about 1lt Alexadear bonny man. I truly apologize to his family, to 1lt Alexander bonnyman and to all marines. Again I remain always faithful and proud to be a marine. semper fi
I am a retired vietnam marine . I am very glad that 1lt Alexander sonnyman and his family are finally getting closure they deserve . I am sure lt Sonnymay was a great leader and inspiration to his family and to the marines that he led. I hope he finds peace in his final resting place. Where I have not in my return from vietnam . Semper fi
Mr. Evans,
It was with great honor that I and my classmate/friend from the University of Tennessee stood holding the American flag under the bridge when your grandfather’s procession exited the highway this afternoon (I am pretty sure I recognized you waving at us as you passed). I have followed his story for years, and I am beyond elated to see your family finally being granted this piece of closure.
My grandfather also served in World War II, and although he passed while I was still young, some of my fondest memories were watching WWII documentaries with him in his den. This instilled a love for history, especially American military history, in me that continues to this day. I am now finishing my degree at UT in history and am writing a thesis on POWs during the American Revolution. I had the blessing of receiving my grandfather’s memoirs from my uncles and continue to research his service when I can.
Your story and search for the lost graves on Tarawa is somewhat of an inspiration for me, and am excited about the upcoming release of your book. I plan on being at the cemetery on Sunday for Lt Bonnyman’s final and much deserved interment. I am so very grateful for the sacrifice of your family, and will never forget it.
I leave you with a verse I found long ago from an unknown author that I enjoy.
“No one had to ask them, they just knew
They had to go. They leave their homes,
with all its joy, and go to lands afar
They sacrifice their noble life
So that we can all be free”
Thank you for sharing your grandfather with all of us
I was on the flight today from HI to ATL that brought Lt. Bonnyman home today. After boarding the plane the 1st Offficer informed the passengers that we had the honor of brining home a fallen hero that had been separated from his family for 72 years and informed us that Marine Colonel was escorting Lt. Bonnyman home. All of the passengers broke out in applause. When we landed in ATL we were all asked to remain in our seats until the Colonel exited the plane, prior to this I told the Colonel I was a Marine and thanked him for bring home Lt. Bonnyman. During this entire process the entire aircraft was dead quite out of respect the the service and sacrifice the Lt. Bonnyman paid. Once we exited the air craft I went to a window over looking the aircraft in order to witness the the removal of Lt. Bonnyman from the aircraft. The Colonel and another service member on the Tarmac as well as myself and other former service members including some of the Delta ground crew personnel rendered a hand salute out of respect for ultimate sacrifice that Lt. Bonnyman paid. The Delta ground crew did an outstanding job in the handing of Lt. Bonnyman and are to be commended for the respect and reverence they paid to him. Please know that Lt. Bonnyman was not alone on this flight, that he was well looked after by the Marine Colonel and all of the service members on the flight. Semper Fi.
Thank you, sir. I just read your amazing post to Lt. Bonnyman’s two daughters and two of his granddaughters as we await the plane in Knoxville this afternoon.
Mr. Evans,
In 2008 I saw a CBS News 6:30PM news cast (back when I watched CBS NEWS) on Memorial Day when they did a review of Major Niven’s Book on
your grandfather and the dead of Tarawa. Having been a student of WW2 due to my late father’s service I was well familiar with the Battle of Tarawa.
I bought the Niven book and was so angered that I wrote a letter in October 2008 to the Marine Corp. Commandant demanding they go to Tarawa and do something to find your grandfather. That’s all I have heard. Please tell me
what has happened other than the Brietbart article which I found to be very
shallow based on what I think my knowledge is.
Sincerely
Mark E. Brown
6212 Horseshoe Dr
Summerfield, NC 27358
336-681-6730
edard48@bellsouth.net
Hi, Mark. I have posted a number of links to media stories about the recent discovery by History Flight of three dozen sets of remains from “Cemetery 27.” Incidentally, Bill’s original lat/long coordinates estimating the location of the trench are about 50 meters away from where we found it. That’s pretty darned good; then again, in archaeology, I’ve learned, six inches is as good as a hundred miles.
Clay
Hi sweetie, please let us know when your book will be available, we would love to have the book.