1942Who was the first United States soldier to be awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II?
Second Lieutenant Alexander R. Nininger Jr., born in Gainesville, Georgia and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, became the first United States soldier to receive the Medal of Honor in World War II for his extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Bataan in the Philippines. Voluntarily joining the embattled Company K, Nininger was killed in action on January 12, 1942, after single-handedly attacking enemy positions despite being wounded three times. His legacy is unique—not only was he the first among his West Point class to fall in WWII, but he remains memorialized at West Point’s Nininger Hall, on the Tablets of the Missing in Manila, and in numerous places across Florida and the nation. The 84th anniversary of his death is honored on January 12, 2026, celebrating a story of valor that continues to inspire generations.
