2nd Lt. Alexander R. Nininger, Jr.
U.S. Army, 57th Infantry Regiment Philippine Scouts
Killed In Action (KIA) January 12, 1942 earned Medal of Honor

Background
Alexander Ramsey Nininger Jr. was born October 20, 1918 in in Gainesville, Georgia and grew up in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He attended the United States Military Academy (USMA) class of 1941 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. Afterwards, sent overseas to the Philippines and attached to the 57th Infantry Regiment Philippine Scouts, 1st Battalion. Nicknamed "Sandy".

Wartime History
On December 8, 1941 after the start of the Pacific War, the 57th Infantry Regiment withdrew to the Bataan Peninsula on Luzon manning positions on the Abucay-Morong Line to defend against the advance of the Japanese Army.

On January 12, 1942 Nininger voluntarily attached himself to Company K and led an assault against Japanese positions and was wounded at least three times before he was Killed In Action (KIA) near Abucay. After the position was recaptured, his body was found with the bodies of a Japanese Army officer and two Japanese soldiers nearby.

Recovery of Remains
Afterwards, his body was buried at Saint Dominic Parish Church Cemetery (Abucay Church Cemetery). Later, what is believed to be his skeletal remains were exhumed as unknown X-468 and buried as an unknown at Manila American Cemetery at J-7-20. Although reviews determined the remains to be Nininger, he remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

Medal of Honor
Posthumously, Nininger earned the Medal of Honor. He became the first U.S. Army solider to earn the nation's highest award during World War II.

Posthumous Medal of Honor Citation (20 - 22 November 1943) 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 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."

Memorials
Nininger was officially declared dead January 12, 1942 at age 23. He earned the Medal of Honor, Bronze Star, Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters, posthumously. Nininger remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA) and is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing with a gold inlay indicating he earned the Medal of Honor. He also has a memorial marker at Arlington National Cemetery at section MK-139.

Afterwards, two transports were named in honor of Nininger. USS Alexander R. Nininger, Jr., T-APC-117 and Liberty Ship USAT Lt. Alexander R. Nininger. At West Point, the First Division of Cadet Barracks at West Point is named in his honor. 2006 an award was created in his honor by the Association of Graduates of the US Military Academy: The Alexander R. Nininger Award for Valor at Arms. It is given to West Point graduates who have displayed courage in combat and upheld the values of West Point. At Fort Benning a rifle range at the infantry school is named "Nininger Range". A statue dedicated to his honor is at the Alexander “Sandy” Nininger State Veterans’ Nursing Home is in Pembroke Pines, FL.

Relatives
John Patterson (nephew)

References
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Alexander R. Nininger Jr.
Congressional Medal of Honor Society - Alexander R. Nininger Jr. (photo, Medal of Honor Citation)
FindAGrave - 1LT Alexander Ramsey Nininger Jr. (photo, tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - 1LT Alexander Ramsey Nininger Jr. (photo, memorial marker Arlington National Cemetery photo)
ANC Explorer - Alexander Ramsey Nininger Jr. (photo, memorial marker photos)
FindAGrave - Alexander R. Nininger Jr. (photo, Saint Dominic Parish Church Cemetery)
U.S. Army in World War II - The Fall of the Philippines Chapter XVI: The First Battle of Bataan pages 270
"During the night [January 11-12, 1942] a number of Japanese had infiltrated into the 3d Battalion area, on the left of the regimental line. The 57th Infantry spent most of the next day [January 12, 1942] routing out the infiltrators, man by man, in hand-to-hand combat. After a number of Scouts had been killed, a more efficient scheme for the elimination of the infiltrated Japanese was devised. Sniper parties consisting of riflemen assisted by demolition engineers were formed and these began to comb the 3d Battalion area systematically. By the end of the day most of the Japanese had been found and killed. It was as a result of his action as the leader of one of these sniper parties that 2d Lt. Alexander R. Nininger, Jr., was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His was the first of World War II, although Calugas received his award for heroism in the earlier fight at Layac Junction."
New York Times "War Heroʼs Family Suing in Its Decades-Long Fight to Identify Remains" by Dave Philipps May 29, 2017
Stars & Stripes "Family of still-missing WWII Medal of Honor recipient asks DOD to stop using his name" by Wyatt Olson January 12, 2021
Stars & Stripes "DOD steps back from decision to disinter remains believed to be Medal of Honor recipient" by Wyatt Olson April 13, 2021

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?