BUNN, Bennie M. ca.1907-1943
BUNN
Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 1/9/2010 at 18:34:04
Bennie M. Bunn was born about 1907 and entered the military service when he was about 20 years old. He was involved in Nicaragua's Sandino Rebellion in 1928. In World War II he posthumously received the Distinguished Service Cross "for extraordinary heroism while serving with the FIRST Marine Raider Battalion in action against the enemy on New Georgia Island, British Solomon Islands, on 10 July 1943."
The following newspaper article tells of a camp being named after Lt. Bunn.
Name Camp in Pacific After Hero
CHARLES CITY, IOWA - Somewhere in the South Pacific where marines are trained for jungle warfare against the Japanese, is Camp Bunn, named in honor of Lt. Bennie M. Bunn, son of Henry Bunn, of Charles City, and brother of Clifford Bunn, of East St. Charles township.
The latter recently received a large picture oŁ the camp from Mrs. B. M. Bunn of San Diego, Cal., wife of the hero who was killed in action July 10, 1943, on New Georgia Island in the British Solomons group. Action toward naming the camp was taken by officers and men of Lt. Bunn's command in honor of his courageous conduct in the battle in which he paid the supreme sacrifice.
Lt. Col. L. W. Nickerson USMC, in his report on the skirmish said "According to the official report of the skirmish, Jap machine gunners were being thrown back repeatedly with heavy losses in trying to the position.
"Though not under order to advance, Lt. Bunn, veteran of nearly 17 years, took some hand grenades and a Tommy gun and telling the other men to cover him as best they could, climbed straight up the slippery bluff. Halfway up a Jap bullet clipped him and by the time he reached the top he was wounded many times, but his Tommy gun and grenades took that position.
"His body was carried down the slope and interred in Grove 8 in the military cemetery
[ Mason City Globe-Gazette, Friday, May 19, 1944 ]
See additional biographical information on this website, at the link below.
Additional Biographical Information
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