Medal of Honor: Alexander R. Nininger, Jr. – World War II – Philippines – January 1942

Name: Alexander R. Nininger Jr.
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: 57th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Scouts
Place: Near Abucay, Bataan, Philippine Islands
Entered Service At: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Born: Gainesville, Georgia

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Summary of Action

On 12 January 1942, near Abucay on the Bataan Peninsula, Second Lieutenant Alexander R. Nininger, Jr. distinguished himself during some of the darkest early fighting of the Pacific War. Although assigned to a different company not then engaged, Lieutenant Nininger voluntarily attached himself to Company K of the 57th Infantry Regiment as it came under fierce attack by a Japanese force superior in firepower.

Enemy snipers concealed in trees and foxholes halted a counterattack aimed at regaining lost ground. Without hesitation, Lieutenant Nininger plunged into the fight. Exposed to intense fire, he repeatedly forced his way forward into enemy-held positions, engaging the enemy in brutal hand-to-hand combat. Armed with rifle and hand grenades, he destroyed multiple enemy groups occupying foxholes and eliminated snipers that had pinned down American troops.

Wounded three times during the action, Lieutenant Nininger refused to withdraw. Instead, he continued his relentless assaults, pressing alone far inside the enemy position. He was ultimately killed while still advancing against the enemy. When American forces later recaptured the ground, his body was found surrounded by a fallen enemy officer and two enemy soldiers—clear testimony to his final stand.

Lieutenant Nininger’s fearless initiative, indomitable courage, and willingness to sacrifice his life inspired his comrades at a moment when resolve meant survival. His actions embodied the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and the Philippine Scouts.

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Medal of Honor 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 position. In hand-to-hand fighting which followed, 2d Lt. Nininger repeatedly forced his way to and into the hostile position. Though exposed to heavy enemy fire, he continued to attack with rifle and hand grenades and succeeded in destroying several enemy groups in foxholes and enemy snipers. Although wounded three 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, one enemy officer and two enemy soldiers lay dead around him.