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SSG Justin Davis
to remember
Bonner, Riley Steward, T/5.
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Contact Info
Home Town Elk, Tucker County
Date of Passing Sep 29, 1970
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T/5 RILEY STEWARD BONNER WAS BORN IN ELK, TUCKER COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA ON 29 AUGUST 1910 HE WAS WORKING AS A COAL MINER BEFORE ENTERING THE SERIVICE ON 6 APRIL 1942. T/5 BONNER SERVED IN THE PACIFIC WITH THE 495TH ENGINEER HEAVY SHOP COMPANY FROM 21 APRIL 1943 UNTIL 22 NOVEMBER 1945 WHEN HE RETURNED HOME HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED AT CAMP ATTERURY, INDIANA ON 6 DECEMBER 1945. RILEY BONNER PASSED AWAY IN TUCKER COUNTY ON 29 SEPTEMBER 1970 AND WAS LAID TO REST AT THE BRIGHTS CHAPEL CEMETERY IN ELK.
Description (New Guinea Campaign 24 January 1943 to 31 December 1944) After the loss of Buna and Gona in New Guinea, the Japanese fell back on their stronghold at Lae. Their attempt to reinforce Lae by sea in March 1943 met with disaster when American and Australian planes sank most of the convoy in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. Salamaua and Lae then became the objectives for an Allied advance along the northern coast of New Guinea. Fifth Air Force bombers attacked airfields at Wewak, 300 miles west of Lae, to neutralize them. The Allies dropped paratroops at Nadzab, just beyond Lae. Enemy resistance at Salamaua broke on 14 September 1943; Lae fell two days later. In the months that followed, MacArthur’s forces pushed westward, capturing some Japanese strongholds and bypassing others. After taking Hollandia in April 1944, the Allies attacked islands off the northern coast of New Guinea, taking Wakde and Biak in May, Owi in June, and Noemfoor in July. Sansapor on New Guinea also was gained in July. Aerial attacks on the Philippines began in August, and Morotai was seized in October to provide air bases for the invasion of the Philippines. Allied planes also bombed the oil center at Balikpapan and other targets in Borneo and Celebes.