SCOTT, ROBERT S. - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Captain (then Lieutenant), U.S. Army, 172d Infantry,
43d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Munda Air Strip, New Georgia,
Solomon Islands, 29 July 1943. Entered service at: Santa Fe, N. Mex. Birth:
Washington, D.C. G.O. No.: 81, 14 October 1944. Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty near Munda Airstrip, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, on 29 July
1943. After 27 days of bitter fighting, the enemy held a hilltop salient
which commanded the approach to Munda Airstrip. Our troops were exhausted
from prolonged battle and heavy casualties, but Lt. Scott advanced with
the leading platoon of his company to attack the enemy position, urging
his men forward in the face of enemy rifle and enemy machinegun fire. He
had pushed forward alone to a point midway across the barren hilltop within
75 yards of the enemy when the enemy launched a desperate counterattack,
which f successful would have gained undisputed possession of the hill.
Enemy riflemen charged out on the plateau, firing and throwing grenades
as they moved to engage our troops. The company withdrew, but Lt. Scott,
with only a blasted tree stump for cover, stood his ground against the
wild enemy assault. By firing his carbine and throwing the grenades in
his possession he momentarily stopped the enemy advance using the brief
respite to obtain more grenades. Disregarding small-arms fire and exploding
grenades aimed at him, suffering a bullet wound in the left hand and a
painful shrapnel wound in the head after his carbine had been shot from
his hand, he threw grenade after grenade with devastating accuracy until
the beaten enemy withdrew. Our troops, inspired to renewed effort by Lt.
Scott's intrepid stand and incomparable courage, swept across the plateau
to capture the hill, and from this strategic position 4 days later captured
Munda Airstrip.
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