The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*SCOTT, NORMAN
Rank and Organization: Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy. Born:
10 August 1889, Indianapolis, Ind. Appointed From: Indiana.
Citation:
For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty
during action against enemy Japanese forces off Savo Island on the night of 11-12 October
and again on the night of 12-13 November 1942. In the earlier action, intercepting a
Japanese Task Force intent upon storming our island positions and landing reinforcements
at Guadalcanal, Rear Adm. Scott, with courageous skill and superb coordination of the
units under his command, destroyed 8 hostile vessels and put the others to flight. Again
challenged, a month later, by the return of a stubborn and persistent foe, he led his
force into a desperate battle against tremendous odds, directing close-range operations
against the invading enemy until he himself was killed in the furious bombardment by their
superior firepower. On each of these occasions his dauntless initiative, inspiring
leadership and judicious foresight in a crisis of grave responsibility contributed
decisively to the rout of a powerful invasion fleet and to the consequent frustration of a
formidable Japanese offensive. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
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