The Alexander R. Nininger Award
This Award is named in recognition of the heroic actions of Second Lieutenant Alexander R. Nininger, USMA Class of 1941. After commissioning, Lieutenant Nininger was sent to the Philippines attached to the 57th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Scouts. During the first month of the Japanese invasion, Nininger voluntarily joined another company because his unit was not yet engaged in combat. He was posthumously awarded the first Medal of Honor in World War II for actions near Abucay, Bataan on January 12, 1942.
The Alexander R. Nininger Award is funded by a generous endowment from E. Doug Kenna ’45 and 
his wife, Jean.
Nininger Award Criteria
The Award is given to an exemplar of heroic action in battle. In addition to recognizing the recipient for his or her bravery as an individual, the Association regards the recipient as a given year´s representative of all West Point-commissioned officers who have heroically led Soldiers in combat.
Each year, a joint USMA-WPAOG task force reviews information on graduates who have received awards for valor. Practice has been to recommend a representative, decorated West Point graduate who is (1) a relatively recent graduate, (2) on active duty, and (3) available to travel to West Point in September to receive the award. When possible, the awardee participates in branch week activities, junior leaders panels, etc. The awardee is approved by the Superintendent and the West Point Association of Graduates’ Board of Directors.