Bunyan Randolph Cooner
Encyclopedia
Bunyan Randolph Cooner, born at Columbia, South Carolina
, 27 February 1914, enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve 12 June 1939. After flight training, he was commissioned ensign 3 September 1941 and served with Bombing Squadron 3 in USS Saratoga (CV-3)
.
for gallant service in the Battle of Midway
, participating in vigorous and repeated attacks against Japanese warships 4–6 June 1942.
, launched 25 July 1943 by Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Kearny, New Jersey
, sponsored by Mrs. I. Cooner; and commissioned 21 August 1943, was so named in Cooner’s honor.
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
, 27 February 1914, enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve 12 June 1939. After flight training, he was commissioned ensign 3 September 1941 and served with Bombing Squadron 3 in USS Saratoga (CV-3)
USS Saratoga (CV-3)
USS Saratoga was the second aircraft carrier of the United States Navy and the fifth ship to bear her name. She was commissioned one month earlier than her sister and class leader, , which is the third actually commissioned after and Saratoga...
.
Participated in Battle of Midway
He won the Navy CrossNavy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
for gallant service in the Battle of Midway
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway is widely regarded as the most important naval battle of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. Between 4 and 7 June 1942, approximately one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea and six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Navy decisively defeated...
, participating in vigorous and repeated attacks against Japanese warships 4–6 June 1942.
Awarded the Navy Cross
Ensign Cooner was then killed in a plane crash during flight operations out of NAS Pearl Harbor on 16 June 1942.Namesake
The USS Cooner (DE-172)USS Cooner (DE-172)
USS Cooner was a built for the United States Navy during World War II. She served in the Atlantic Ocean and then the Pacific Ocean and provided escort service against submarine and air attack for Navy vessels and convoys....
, launched 25 July 1943 by Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Kearny, New Jersey
Kearny, New Jersey
Kearny is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. It was named after Civil War general Philip Kearny. As of the United States 2010 Census, the town population was 40,684. The town is a suburb of the nearby city of Newark....
, sponsored by Mrs. I. Cooner; and commissioned 21 August 1943, was so named in Cooner’s honor.