Bunyan Randolph Cooner

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).

Participated in Battle of Midway
He won the Navy Cross for gallant service in the Battle of Midway, 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), 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.