John Melvin Bonura

Military
media-48178.jpeg UPL 48178 Captain John M. Bonura
Payroll Specialist
416th BG

Object Number - UPL 48178 - Captain John M. Bonura Payroll Specialist 416th BG

Mr. Bonura's primary duty was Statistical Control where he was responsible for submitting all reports. In addition, he was responsible for other duties as delegated by the commanding officer, some of which were assistant trial judge advocate for special court martial. A man would have only been given death for a very serious crime, such as murder. At one air base in France a GI in the 416th was accused of selling tires to the French. Individuals were sentenced on a case by case basis. Such cases are posted on the service record and would impact future promotions.



As Payroll Officer, Mr. Bonura tells us that the GI's were always paid in cash. The money came from the finance department of the military. Each squadron and each group took care of the distribution of monthly salaries. Family allotments from the monthly salary were determined by the individual and a government check was sent directly to the family. The men always signed their name after receiving their pay. When moving to a different country, if the GI's had money left over from the previous country, the military exchanged the money for the current notes. Another of Mr. Bonura's jobs was PX (post exchange) officer. Ration booklets were used by civilians in the United States. Soldiers were given rations (necessities such as soap, toothpaste, etc.) and used cash to pay for the theatre, restaurant, beer parlor, etc. Enlisted men were supplied with uniforms and shoes. Officers were provided with a one-time stipend to purchase their uniform.

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Units served with

An A-26 Invader (F6-P, serial number 43-22330) nicknamed "For Pete's Sake" of the 416th Bomb Group prepares for take-off at Mount Farm. Image by Robert Astrella, 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group . Written on slide casing: '416 BG Mount Farm.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Places

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Melun, Alsace

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

New Orleans, LA 13 March 1921

Enlisted

Camp Shelby, MS 14 January 1942

Buried

Metarie, LA 13 April 2014 Metairie Cemetery New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, USA Plot All Saints Mausoleum

Died

Arkansas 9 August 2014

John Melvin Bonura: Gallery (1 items)