View source for ROBERT A. BONIN, LCDR, USN

{{KeyDates|name_class=Robert Bonin '36|DoB=March 27, 1913|DoD=April 18, 1944|Age=31}}

{{LuckyBag|LBLink=https://archive.org/details/luckybag1936unse|class=1936
|picture=1936 Bonin LB.jpg
|LBName=Robert Alexander Bonin
|LBHometown=Milwaukee, Wisconsin
|LBNickname="Alex"
|LBText=BOB spent a year at Marquette in preparation for a career as a civil engineer. Realizing that the Navy was more to his liking he left the beer city and came to the Academy. Plebe year Alex started his uphill battle with the Dago department, but naturally savvy otherwise, he found ample time to devote to the achievement of a 2.5. Bob's deepest interest lies in professional subjects. If you want the straight dope on any of our ships, just ask Bob. In the spring Bob will be found at the rifle range shooting it out for the Nyvee. Other athletic interests turn to cross country. As a wife Bob is always obliging and anxious to help out in any way possible. He will make a fine addition to any ship's wardroom.
|LBECAs=''Class Cross Country 4, 3, 2; Indoor Rifle 4, 1; Outdoor Rifle 3, 1; Reception Committee 3, 2, 1; Pep Committee 1; Two Stripes''}}

== Loss ==
Robert was [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75833069/robert-alexander-bonin lost] when [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Gudgeon_(SS-211) USS Gudgeon (SS 211)] was sunk, likely on April 18, 1944, near the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maug_Islands Maug Islands]. He [http://www.oneternalpatrol.com/bonin-r-a.htm was the boat's commanding officer.]

== Other Information ==
From researcher Kathy Franz: "His father Michael was an auto mechanic, and his brother was Richard."

His wife was [http://www.naval-history.net/WW2UScasaaDB-USNbyNAMEB.htm listed as] next of kin. Robert has [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178020011/robert-a-bonin a memory marker] in Wisconsin.

== Photographs ==
<gallery mode=packed heights=350px style="text-align:left">
File:1936 Bonin 1.jpg|link=http://www.oneternalpatrol.com/bonin-r-a.htm
</gallery>

== Career ==
From the now-broken link http://www.fleetorganization.com/subcommandersclassyear3.html:
<blockquote>
* Under Instruction Submarine School New London Jul 1939 - Dec 1939
* Communications Officer USS S-20 (SS-125) 1 Jul 1940 - 1 Nov 1940
* Engineering Officer USS Grayling (SS-209) 1942 - 1943
* Executive Officer USS Grayling (SS-209) 1 Apr 1943 - 1 Jul 1943
* Staff Submarine Division Sixty Two 31 Aug 1943 - 2 Jan 1944
* Captain USS Gudgeon (SS-211) Mar 1944 - Apr 1944
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
* Ensign 4 Jun 1936
* Lieutenant (j.g.) 4 Jun 1939
* Lieutenant (T) 1 Jan 1942
* Lieutenant 1 Mar 1942
* Lieutenant Commander (T) 1 May 1943
</blockquote>

== Wartime Service ==
He had taken command of <span class='smallcaps'>Gudgeon</span> on March 5, 1944, barely a month before she was sunk.

<span class='smallcaps'>Grayling</span>, the boat in which he had his XO tour, was sunk in September 1943, a few months after he had left. 

== Silver Star ==
From [http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=55279 Hall of Valor]:
<blockquote>
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Robert Alexander Bonin (NSN: 0-77035), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Engineer Officer and later as Executive Officer of the U.S.S. GRAYLING (SS-209), in action against enemy Japanese forces during five of the six hazardous War Patrols completed by that Submarine prior to 4 May 1943. Exercising sound judgment and superior technical knowledge, Lieutenant Commander Bonin rendered invaluable assistance to his ship throughout numerous offensive attacks and courageously supervised his depth-charge station during severe enemy countermeasures, thereby contributing materially to the success of the GRAYLING in sinking five hostile vessels totaling 26,007 tons. The splendid initiative and valiant devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Commander Bonin under extremely difficult conditions were an inspiration to his associates and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 0384 (February 21, 1944)<br/>
Action Date: 1942 - 1943<br/>
Service: Navy<br/>
Rank: Lieutenant Commander<br/>
Division: U.S.S. Grayling (SS-209)
</blockquote>

== Other ==
Robert's wife was sponsor of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Gudgeon_(SS-567) USS Gudgeon (SS 567)], launched in June 1952.

{{NDexplainer}}
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{{ND|date=June 1940|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS S-20}}
{{ND|date=November 1940|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS S-20}}
{{ND|date=April 1941|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Grayling}}

{{ClassNav|PAGE_ID={{PAGEID}}|Name=Robert|ClassYear=1936|PreviousPersonLink=HARLAN R. DICKSON, LCDR, USN|PreviousPersonName=Harlan Dickson '36|NextPersonLink=WALTER B. BAYLESS, LCDR, USN|NextPersonName=Walter Bayless '36}}

[[Category:1936|Bonin]]
[[Category:USNA 3rd Company|Bonin]]
[[Category:US Navy|Bonin]]
[[Category:KIA|Bonin]]
[[Category:WWII|Bonin]]
[[Category:Pacific|Bonin]]
[[Category:Submarine|Bonin]]
[[Category:USS Gudgeon (SS 211)|Bonin]]
[[Category:Silver Star|Bonin]]
{{KIA|panel=ROBERT ALEXANDER BONIN}}