North Brunswick continued its Veteran Street Sign Program with its first honorees of 2021.
North Brunswick police officer and U.S. Army veteran William Trammell Jr. was honored with a street sign for Trammell Way at the intersection of Holly Road and Wood Avenue.
North Brunswick police officer and U.S. Marine veteran William Bonura Jr. was honored with a street sign for Bonura Jr Way at the intersection of Otis Road and North Boyd Parkway.
A North Brunswick native, Trammell grew up on Holly Road and attended Judd Elementary School and Linwood Middle School, and graduated from North Brunswick Township High School in 2001, according to information included in a proclamation read during the street sign unveiling on May 10.
He attended the United States Army Military Police School in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in 2008.
He served in the United States Army as a military police officer and his overseas assignments include Camp Taji Iraq, Camp Cropper Iraq and Camp Victory Iraq, where he conducted detainee operations, according to the proclamation.
He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Start and the Army Service Ribbon, according to the proclamation.
He was Honorably Discharged from his military service in December 2010.
Trammell was sworn in to the North Brunswick Township Police Department in February 2012.
Bonura is a 2005 graduate of North Brunswick Township High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Caldwell University, a master’s degree and an education specialist degree from Seton Hall University.
Bonura served during Operation Enduring Freedom under the United States Marine Corp. He enlisted in the Marines in April 2009 and attended basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina.
He was chosen and served as the platoon leader for the duration of his training.
He graduated in July 2009 as the honor graduate and was meritoriously promoted to the rank of private first class, according to his proclamation read on May 10.
After graduating from the School of Infantry, Bonura was assigned to the 3rd Battalion 6th Marines, Weapons Company, Combined Anti Armor Platoon.
He was deployed from January to August 2010 to Marjah, Afghanistan, as part of the initial increase of 35,000 troops by President Barack Obama. His unit cleared and secured the City of Marjah to assist the ongoing troop buildup, according to the proclamation.
In March 2011, he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of corporal after attending Advanced Infantry School.
He redeployed from June to December 2011 as a section leader who was responsible for overseeing a section of 20 Marines, five heavily armored vehicles and $17 million in serialized gear. He led the section on 200-plus mounted patrols, clearing more than 250 choke points, allowing a safe passage for the section and nearby units from enemy improvised explosive devices, according to the proclamation.
He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal for superior performance as well as credit with assisting in the capture and detainment of 46 suspected Taliban fighters, according to the statement.
He returned home after his second deployment and was briefly reassigned to Tactical Training Exercise Group in Twentynine Palms, California. He conducted Pre-deployment Training Program (PTP) Assessments of Infantry Units during full spectrum operations to prepare units for deployment, according to the statement. He applied his combat experience to train hundreds of Marines in infantry tactics.
Bonura earned numerous awards serving in the Marines that include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon (Afghanistan), the Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (two), the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (two), and the NATO Medal. He was also awarded the State of New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal for distinguished meritorious service in ground operations during Operation Enduring Freedom.
His father, William Bonura, is a retired lieutenant with the North Brunswick Police Department.
The Township of North Brunswick’s Veteran Street Sign Program allows township residents who were wartime veterans to be recognized by adding their name on a secondary street sign to an existing municipal road.
Eligible military candidates for this honor include honorably discharged veterans having served in military departments as defined under Department of Defense which include Departments of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and the Coast Guard.
Wartime veterans are individuals who served in the active military forces, during a period of armed conflict or who received the armed forces expeditionary or other campaign service medals during an emergency condition, including those who died in the line of duty in the active military forces.
To nominate a veteran, contact Councilman Bob Davis, or Director Lou Ann Benson at lbenson@northbrunswicknj.gov or 732-247-0922, ext. 475.
