| Original caption: “Marines storm Tarawa. Gilbert Islands.” On the 2nd day of the Battle of Tarawa, 1st Lieutenant Alexander “Sandy” Bonnyman Junior (May 2, 1910 – November 23, 1943), 4th from right, determined to breach the enemy’s strong defensive line, led a demolition team of 21 Marines in an assault on the entrance to a huge bombproof shelter which contained approximately a 150 Japanese soldiers. The Japanese position was about 40 yards forward of the Marine lines. Bonnyman advanced his team to the mouth of the position and killed many of the defenders. His team was forced to withdraw to replenish its supply of ammunition and grenades. Bonnyman again pressed his attack and gained the top of the structure, thereby flushing more than 100 of its occupants into the open where they were cut down by Marine infantry and a supporting tank. When the Japanese returned fire, Bonnyman stood on the forward edge of the position and killed 3 of the attackers, but was himself killed as he ordered more charges brought forward. The battle continued for another 10 to 15 minutes, with all of the Japanese defenders flushed out. Of Bonnyman’s original assault party of 21 Marines, 13 had survived. Bonnyman was killed as he called for more demolition charges. Bonnyman’s remains were recovered in 2015 and buried with full military honors in Knoxville, Tennessee’s Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery. Photographed by Warrant Officer Obadiah “Obie” E. Newcomb V, (June 22, 1909 – February 25, 2004) United States Marine Corps Reserve. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1591.jpg |
| Image Size | 733.42 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2920 x 2328 |
| Photographer | Obadiah “Obie” E. Newcomb V |
| Photographer Title | United States Marine Corps |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | November 21, 1943 |
| Location | |
| City | Betio |
| State or Province | Tarawa |
| Country | Gilberts |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NWDNS-127-N-63458 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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