Navy Federal Credit Union

Alexander Nininger graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1941. He was the first member of that class to be Killed in Action. Ultimately, 36 of his former classmates gave their lives in World War II.

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    57th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    Philippine Scouts

    Action Date:

    January 12, 1942

    War Department, General Orders No. 9, February 5, 1942

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Alexander Ramsey Nininger, Jr. (ASN: 0-23761), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 57th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Scouts in action with the enemy near Abucay, Bataan, Philippine Islands, on 12 January 1942. Second Lieutenant Nininger, 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, Second Lieutenant 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.