United States of America
Headstone of Alexander Ramsey Nininger
Headstone of Alexander Ramsey Nininger
U.S. Army · United States United States

Alexander Ramsey Nininger

Second Lieutenant
1918 – 1942
Second Lieutenant
Medal of Honor - ArmyBronze Star MedalPurple Heart3

Second Lieutenant Alexander Ramsey Nininger Jr. served the 1st Battalion, 57th Infantry Regiment (Philippine Scouts) for 1 year. Alexander served in World War II. Alexander was 23 years old.

What Happened
The first man to receive the Medal of Honor in the Second World War. A second lieutenant of the 1st Battalion, 57th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Scouts, he asked to join another company that was under attack at Abucay on Bataan and went forward alone through Japanese positions, taking them one at a time with grenade and bayonet until he was killed. He was twenty-three. He is remembered at Arlington by a cenotaph; his body was never recovered.
Keepsakes
Headstone Front of Alexander Nininger. Arlington National Cemetery.
Headstone Front of Alexander Nininger. Arlington National Cemetery.
Headstone Back of Alexander Nininger. Arlington National Cemetery.
Headstone Back of Alexander Nininger. Arlington National Cemetery.
Medal of Honor Recipient Alexander R. Nininger Jr.
Medal of Honor Recipient Alexander R. Nininger Jr.
Service Record
U.S. Army
1st Battalion, 57th Infantry Regiment (Philippine Scouts)
1941 – 1942
Killed at Abucay on Bataan, 12 January 1942.
Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
12 January 1942 · Near Abucay, Bataan, Philippine Islands · Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 57th Infantry, Philippine Scouts.

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 handgrenades 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.

9, 5 February 1942.
Awards & Decorations 3

For valor

Medal of Honor - Army posthumous January 12, 1942 · Near Abucay, Bataan, Philippine Islands · Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 57th Infantry, Philippine Scouts. 9, 5 February 1942.
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 handgrenades 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.

For service and achievement

Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart ×3
Burial Information
Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery
Section MK
Grave 139
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier neuraspine_01krcpex6swqp1r2v3816z74aq
Record added August 8, 2026 neuraweb.nw
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Last updated September 20, 2026

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Shadow Box
Alexander Ramsey Nininger
Second Lieutenant
U.S. Army
1941 - 1942
1st Battalion, 57th Infantry Regiment (Philippine Scouts)
Second Lieutenant
Medal of Honor - Army Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart3

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