From the Collections
From Trash to Treasure: The Charles Bonness Collection
"Dive bombing is the most thrilling thing in the Navy, also some people say the most dangerous. But why should I worry if I get paid extra for doing it?" --Charles Bonness in a letter to his sister, Catherine.
Ready to explore the world, Charles "Chuck" Bonness joined the Navy on January 21, 1941, two days after turning 17. Assigned to Scouting Squadron Five (VS-5), Bonness and his Squadron transferred to the USS Yorktown (CV-5) after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Charged with protecting his pilot, rear-gunner Bonness gave his life on May 8, 1942, during the Battle of the Coral Sea. Posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the citation reads: “Seaman First Class Bonness shot down one or more enemy aircraft while repelling an attack by numerous enemy fighter planes. His coolness, alertness, skill, and disregard for personal safety were directly responsible for the destruction of the enemy plane.”
Catherine Bonness kept his letters and medals for the rest of her life, dedicated to preserving the memory of her brother. But when Catherine’s family passed on, Charles Bonness’ memory seemed destined for the landfill. Recognized as something special by a family in Summerville, SC, they rescued the Charles Bonness Collection from the trash. In donating the collection to Patriots Point, Bonness’s sacrifice and his memory will not be forgotten.
Ready to explore the world, Charles "Chuck" Bonness joined the Navy on January 21, 1941, two days after turning 17. Assigned to Scouting Squadron Five (VS-5), Bonness and his Squadron transferred to the USS Yorktown (CV-5) after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Charged with protecting his pilot, rear-gunner Bonness gave his life on May 8, 1942, during the Battle of the Coral Sea. Posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the citation reads: “Seaman First Class Bonness shot down one or more enemy aircraft while repelling an attack by numerous enemy fighter planes. His coolness, alertness, skill, and disregard for personal safety were directly responsible for the destruction of the enemy plane.”
Catherine Bonness kept his letters and medals for the rest of her life, dedicated to preserving the memory of her brother. But when Catherine’s family passed on, Charles Bonness’ memory seemed destined for the landfill. Recognized as something special by a family in Summerville, SC, they rescued the Charles Bonness Collection from the trash. In donating the collection to Patriots Point, Bonness’s sacrifice and his memory will not be forgotten.
