Born in Gainesville, Georgia, he was graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, in June 1941.  He served as a Second Lieutenant, United States Army, 57th Infantry, Philippine Scouts, near Abucay, Bataan, Philippine Islands. 

After the recapture of the enemy position his body was reportedly placed in a church cemetery near Abucay. The recommendation for the Medal was made by General Douglas MacArthur and posthumously awarded by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on January 29, 1942. He was the first United States soldier awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II.

U. S. Military Academy Photo

NININGER, ALEXANDER R., JR.

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 57th Infantry, Philippine Scouts. 
Place and date: Near Abucay, Bataan, Philippine Islands, 12 January 1942. 
Entered service at: Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Birth: Gainesville, Georgia.
G.O. No.: 9, 5 February 1942.

Citation: 

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Abucay, Bataan, Philippine Islands, on 12 January 1942.

This officer, though assigned to another company not then engaged in combat, voluntarily attached himself to Company K, same regiment, while that unit was being attacked by enemy force superior in firepower. Enemy snipers in trees and foxholes had stopped a counterattack to regain part of a position. In hand-to-hand fighting which followed, Second Lieutenant Nininger repeatedly forced his way to and into the hostile position. Though exposed to heavy enemy fire, he continued to attack with rifle and handgrenades and succeeded in destroying several enemy groups in foxholes and enemy snipers. Although wounded 3 times, he continued his attacks until he was killed after pushing alone far within the enemy position. When his body was found after recapture of the position, 1 enemy officer and 2 enemy soldiers lay dead around him.

Photo Courtesy of Don Morfe, October 2008

NININGER, ALEXANDER R JR
1ST LT   US ARMY
WORLD WAR II
DATE OF BIRTH: 10/30/1918
DATE OF DEATH: 01/12/1942
BURIED AT: SECTION MK  SITE 139
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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