The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
SCOTT, ROBERT S.
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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