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Robert Sheldon Scott

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Robert Sheldon Scott Famous memorial Veteran

Birth
Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia, USA
Death
5 Feb 1999 (aged 85)
Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico, USA
Burial
Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico, USA GPS-Latitude: 35.7012, Longitude: -105.9469
Plot
9-460
Memorial ID
View Source
World War II Medal of Honor Recipent. A native of Washington, D.C., he served as a Captain (then Lieutenant), in the United States Army, 172d Infantry, 43d Infantry Division. Captain Scott was awarded his MOH for action near Munda Air Strip, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, on July 29, 1943. He entered service at Santa Fe, New Mexico, and later also served as a Colonel. Also a veteran of the Korean War and the Vietnam War, Scott was awarded the Purple Heart. His citation reads-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.
World War II Medal of Honor Recipent. A native of Washington, D.C., he served as a Captain (then Lieutenant), in the United States Army, 172d Infantry, 43d Infantry Division. Captain Scott was awarded his MOH for action near Munda Air Strip, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, on July 29, 1943. He entered service at Santa Fe, New Mexico, and later also served as a Colonel. Also a veteran of the Korean War and the Vietnam War, Scott was awarded the Purple Heart. His citation reads-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.

Bio by: The Silent Forgotten


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  • Maintained by: Find a Grave
  • Added: May 5, 2003
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7416561/robert_sheldon-scott: accessed ), memorial page for Robert Sheldon Scott (30 Nov 1913–5 Feb 1999), Find a Grave Memorial ID 7416561, citing Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.