Don Bonsper

Don Bonsper was born and raised in the small town of Portville in southwestern New York. He lettered in four sports in high school and graduated as his class valedictorian and president. After high school, he entered the United States Naval Academy, graduating with a commission as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1965. He received a Fulbright Scholarship to Costa Rica for one year and then entered The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, graduating in January 1967 as the honor graduate. He served his tour in Vietnam from June 1967 to June 1968; first leading the First Platoon of E Co, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines and then serving as the assistant and senior advisor working with the Second Battalion, Vietnamese Marine Corps. He was awarded a Silver Star and Bronze Star for his combat service. Upon completion of his tour in Vietnam he went on to complete a 20-year career in the Marines, retiring in 1985 as a lieutenant colonel, after serving in a variety of staff and leadership positions, including Commanding Officer, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines at Camp Pendleton, CA. After his military retirement he continued working as a faculty member and International Programs Coordinator at the Defense Resources Management Institute, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA until his retirement in 2012. Don lives in Carmel Valley, CA with his wife Pam.