WWII veteran honored for service

August 6, 2024

David Bonnard

By Brooke Hammond, MCP Intern

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) presented David Wiliam Bonnard, Jr., with a plaque and patriotic quilt for his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Throughout high school Bonnard was known as a remarkable swimmer and marksman—competing on his school’s swim team and rifle team. After graduating high school Bonnard enlisted into the U.S. Navy on July 20, 1943, and served until April 11, 1946.

Bonnard served as a first class seaman and spent two years in the Philippines as a landing ship pilot.  He is the recipient of the following recognitions: Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal, American Medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.

After Bonnard completed his time with the U.S. Navy he earned a degree in engineering from the University of Montana. Throughout his life Bonnard enjoyed a variety of hobbies including hunting and competitive skeet shooting until his mid-80s.

The VA presented Bonnard with a plaque and coin from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough, commemorating Bonnard’s service during WWII. He was also gifted a patriotic quilt made by a volunteer committee.

This recognition was held during a private ceremony at Ron Pepper’s residence where Bonnard resides under medical care.

On August 18, 2024, Bonnard will celebrate his 100th birthday.

___________________

Please Support Local News

Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts for $10 a month. Your contribution will help us to continue to provide you with free local news. 

The easiest way is to sign up for an automatic monthly payment on Paypal. Click this link.

Alternative methods:

  • We can send you an invoice for a yearly payment of $120, which you can conveniently pay online or by check. If you are interested in this method, please email editor@mediagroup31.com and we can sign you up. You can also mail a yearly check for $120 to Media Group 31, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454 (please include your email address).

We appreciate all our readers regardless of whether they choose to continue to access our service for free or with a monthly financial support.

If you would like to support MCP/OCP but do not wish to receive daily emails, please consider sending a contribution to any of the above methods or pay by Venmo (@masoncountypress).

_____

This story and original photography are copyrighted © 2024, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.

As the services of Media Group 31, LLC are news services, the information posted within the sites are archivable for public record and historical posterity. For this reason it is the policy and practice of this company to not delete postings. It is the editor’s discretion to update or edit a story when/if new information becomes available. This may be done by editing the posted story or posting a new “follow-up” story. Media Group 31, LLC or any of its agents have the right to make any changes to this policy. Refer to Use Policy for more information.

Please consider helping to fund local news. Mason County Press and Oceana County Press are available for free thanks to the generous support of our advertisers and individuals. Three ways to help us: Venmo: @MasonCountyPress; Paypal: MasonCountyPress@gmail.com; Mail a check to PO BOX 21, Scottville, MI 49454.

fb.com/stars