Alexander R. Nininger
Encyclopedia
Alexander R. Nininger Jr. (1918 - January 12, 1942) was a Second Lieutenant of the Philippine Scouts
who received the Medal of Honor
during World War II
.
in 1918. He attended the United States Military Academy
and graduated in May 1941. After being commissioned a Lieutenant
he was sent to the Philippines
and was attached to the 57th Infantry Regiment (United States)
of the Philippine Scouts. After entering active service, according to Malcolm Gladwell
, Nininger "wrote a friend to say that he had no feelings of hate, and did not think he could ever kill anyone out of hatred. He had none of the swagger of the natural warrior. He worked hard and had a strong sense of duty." A little known fact about Alexander Nininger is that he loved to draw pictures.
During the first month of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, Nininger's unit helped prepare American defenses in Bataan. After the Japanese launched their assault on Bataan, Nininger voluntarily joined another company because his unit was not yet engaged in combat.
Nininger was killed in action near Abucay, Bataan on January 12, 1942, just shy of his 24th birthday. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for leading an assault on Japanese positions. He was the first American army soldier to be so honored in the Second World War.
He is buried in Saint Dominic Parish Church Cemetery at Abucay, Bataan. He is also commemorated with cenopath memorials at ABMC Cemetery at Manila and in Arlington National Cemetery.
Two transport ships were named in honor of Nininger: was launched as Alexander R. Nininger, Jr., (but ultimately renamed for another Medal of Honor recipient). The second was a Victory ship
that was named USAT Lt. Alexander R. Nininger
. His home town of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida also erected a statue in his honor. Alexander “Sandy” Nininger State Veterans’ Nursing Home is in Pembroke Pines, Florida
, near Ft. Lauderdale. A rifle range at the Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia "Nininger Range" is named in remembrance of Alexander Nininger.
As a high school student, Nininger was a member of Key Club International and annually that organization awards the "Sandy Nininger Award" to high school seniors throughout America who exemplify his character.
When a Key Club was organized at Fort Lauderdale High School
in January 1936, Sandy Nininger became a charter member. He showed the same dedication to his work at that time as he would later show in battle. The school’s athletic program had deteriorated and only fifteen candidates went out for the school football team. Home games seldom attracted more than a hundred spectators.
Sandy decided to change the situation and as chairman of his Key Club’s entertainment committee, he arranged a dinner at the school cafeteria to which the town’s businessmen were invited. The Key Clubbers asked for help to improve athletics in their community, and within a few weeks had the backing of the people of Fort Lauderdale. The city sold the school board a tract of land two blocks long and one block wide. An electric power company donated poles. Electricians gave their services. The rest of the community loaned money for equipment and a grandstand. Finally, a special football game was played before 1500 spectators. Football receipts eventually paid for the field, the fence around it, another grandstand, and all athletic expenses. In the spring of 1942, at a convention of Florida Key Clubs, Kiwanian Harold Martin of Fort Lauderdale proposed the Sandy Nininger Medal as an award in his memory. As conceived by Harold, the medal was to be awarded to high school students who distinguished themselves by making the most of their opportunities, disregarding any school average or group standard. Thus, the award would recognize individuals in terms of their own abilities and weaknesses, opportunities and lack of opportunity.
In 1946, Key Club International formally named Lieutenant Alexander Nininger Jr. as the ideal Key Clubber. At the same time, the Sandy Nininger Medal was also adopted. This gold medal, with Sandy’s likeness superimposed upon it, is now given by Key Clubs throughout America to the high school graduate who most exemplifies the tradition begun by Sandy Nininger.
Since 1946, more than 520 Sandy Nininger awards have been presented by Key Clubs to outstanding students.
Philippine Scouts
The Philippine Scouts was a military organization of the United States Army from 1901 until the end of World War II. Made up of native Filipinos assigned to the United States Army Philippine Department, these troops were generally enlisted and under the command of American officers, however, a...
who received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Biography
Nininger, nicknamed "Sandy", was born in Gainesville, GeorgiaGainesville, Georgia
-Severe Weather:Gainesville sits on the very fringe of Tornado Alley, a region of the United States where severe weather is common. Supercell thunderstorms can sweep through any time between March and November, but are concentrated most in the spring...
in 1918. He attended the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
and graduated in May 1941. After being commissioned a Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
he was sent to the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
and was attached to the 57th Infantry Regiment (United States)
57th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 57th Infantry Regiment was a unit in the Philippine Scouts. During their combat in Bataan members received 1 Medal of Honor, 21 Distinguished Service Crosses and 68 Silver Stars.-History:...
of the Philippine Scouts. After entering active service, according to Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell, CM is a Canadian journalist, bestselling author, and speaker. He is currently based in New York City and has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1996...
, Nininger "wrote a friend to say that he had no feelings of hate, and did not think he could ever kill anyone out of hatred. He had none of the swagger of the natural warrior. He worked hard and had a strong sense of duty." A little known fact about Alexander Nininger is that he loved to draw pictures.
During the first month of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, Nininger's unit helped prepare American defenses in Bataan. After the Japanese launched their assault on Bataan, Nininger voluntarily joined another company because his unit was not yet engaged in combat.
Nininger was killed in action near Abucay, Bataan on January 12, 1942, just shy of his 24th birthday. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for leading an assault on Japanese positions. He was the first American army soldier to be so honored in the Second World War.
He is buried in Saint Dominic Parish Church Cemetery at Abucay, Bataan. He is also commemorated with cenopath memorials at ABMC Cemetery at Manila and in Arlington National Cemetery.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, 57th Infantry, Philippine Scouts, U.S. Army. Place and date: Near Abucay, Bataan, Philippine Islands, January 12, 1942. Entered service at: Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Born: Gainesville, Georgia.- 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.
Further honors and legacy
The First Division of Cadet Barracks at West Point is named in his honor. Nininger was the first United States soldier to receive the Medal of Honor in World War II. In 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. The first awardee was Major Ryan L. Worthan.Two transport ships were named in honor of Nininger: was launched as Alexander R. Nininger, Jr., (but ultimately renamed for another Medal of Honor recipient). The second was a Victory ship
Victory ship
The Victory ship was a type of cargo ship produced in large numbers by North American shipyards during World War II to replace shipping losses caused by German submarines...
that was named USAT Lt. Alexander R. Nininger
SS MIT Victory
The SS M. I. T. Victory was a Victory ship built during World War II and used as a troop transport. She was later named USAT MIT Victory and finally USAT Lt. Alexander R. Nininger. Note: In 1944 there was a different transport ship named Alexander R. Nininger, Jr..- Service life:M. I. T...
. His home town of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida also erected a statue in his honor. Alexander “Sandy” Nininger State Veterans’ Nursing Home is in Pembroke Pines, Florida
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Pembroke Pines is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States. The city had a population of 154,750 at the 2010 census, making it the second most populous city in Broward County, the tenth most populous in Florida, and the 150th most populous in the United States...
, near Ft. Lauderdale. A rifle range at the Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia "Nininger Range" is named in remembrance of Alexander Nininger.
As a high school student, Nininger was a member of Key Club International and annually that organization awards the "Sandy Nininger Award" to high school seniors throughout America who exemplify his character.
When a Key Club was organized at Fort Lauderdale High School
Fort Lauderdale High School
school song = sang to the tune of "Flow Gently Sweet Afton" Fort Lauderdale High School is a secondary school located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida serving students in grades 9 through 12...
in January 1936, Sandy Nininger became a charter member. He showed the same dedication to his work at that time as he would later show in battle. The school’s athletic program had deteriorated and only fifteen candidates went out for the school football team. Home games seldom attracted more than a hundred spectators.
Sandy decided to change the situation and as chairman of his Key Club’s entertainment committee, he arranged a dinner at the school cafeteria to which the town’s businessmen were invited. The Key Clubbers asked for help to improve athletics in their community, and within a few weeks had the backing of the people of Fort Lauderdale. The city sold the school board a tract of land two blocks long and one block wide. An electric power company donated poles. Electricians gave their services. The rest of the community loaned money for equipment and a grandstand. Finally, a special football game was played before 1500 spectators. Football receipts eventually paid for the field, the fence around it, another grandstand, and all athletic expenses. In the spring of 1942, at a convention of Florida Key Clubs, Kiwanian Harold Martin of Fort Lauderdale proposed the Sandy Nininger Medal as an award in his memory. As conceived by Harold, the medal was to be awarded to high school students who distinguished themselves by making the most of their opportunities, disregarding any school average or group standard. Thus, the award would recognize individuals in terms of their own abilities and weaknesses, opportunities and lack of opportunity.
In 1946, Key Club International formally named Lieutenant Alexander Nininger Jr. as the ideal Key Clubber. At the same time, the Sandy Nininger Medal was also adopted. This gold medal, with Sandy’s likeness superimposed upon it, is now given by Key Clubs throughout America to the high school graduate who most exemplifies the tradition begun by Sandy Nininger.
Since 1946, more than 520 Sandy Nininger awards have been presented by Key Clubs to outstanding students.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II
- Battle of BataanBattle of BataanThe Battle of Bataan represented the most intense phase of Imperial Japan's invasion of the Philippines during World War II. The capture of the Philippine Islands was crucial to Japan's effort to control the Southwest Pacific, seize the resource-rich Dutch East Indies, and protect its Southeast...
- Philippine ScoutsPhilippine ScoutsThe Philippine Scouts was a military organization of the United States Army from 1901 until the end of World War II. Made up of native Filipinos assigned to the United States Army Philippine Department, these troops were generally enlisted and under the command of American officers, however, a...
- USAT Lt. Alexander R. NiningerSS MIT VictoryThe SS M. I. T. Victory was a Victory ship built during World War II and used as a troop transport. She was later named USAT MIT Victory and finally USAT Lt. Alexander R. Nininger. Note: In 1944 there was a different transport ship named Alexander R. Nininger, Jr..- Service life:M. I. T...