Colonel Robert S. Scott
U.S. Army, 43rd Infantry Division, 172nd Infantry Regiment
Medal of Honor

Background
Robert Sheldon Scott was born November 30, 1913 in Washington, D. C. He attended the University of New Mexico class of 1937 with a degree in English and worked as a clerk and Bookkeepers and cashier.

Wartime History
On September 24, 1941 he was drafted into the U.S. Army at Santa Fe with serial number 38013127 and after basic training attended Officer's Candidate School were he was commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. Assigned to the 43rd Infantry Division, 172nd Infantry Regiment and sent overseas to the South Pacific (SoPAC). During July 1943, Scott was part 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion during the New Georgia campaign against Munda.

On July 29, 1943 Scott was leading an advance to attack a hilltop near Munda Airfield that was defended by Japanese infantry and machine gunners, urging his men forward despite enemy rifle and machine gun fire and reached within 75 yards of the enemy when they launched a counter attack and his company withdrew. Alone, Scott remained behind a stump firing his carbine and throwing grenades to stop their assault. Although hit in his left hand and had his carbine shot from his hands and a shrapnel wound in his head, he continued to throw grenades and inspired his troops to capture the hilltop.

By October 14, 1944 he was promoted to the rank of Captain and bestowed the Medal of Honor by Major General Leonard F. "Red" Wing at Aitape.

Awards
Scott earned the Medal of Honor on October 14, 1944. In 1997 the state of New Mexico declared November 30 Robert Scott Day in his honor.

Medal of Honor Citation (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 if 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."

Postwar
Scott remained in the U.S. Army postwar and was promoted to the rank of Colonel and retired in 1966.

Memorials
Scott passed away on February 5, 1999 at age 85. He is buried at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 9-460.

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Robert S. Scott
U.S. Army in World War Il Cartwheel: The Reduction of Rabaul Chapter IX - XIV Corps Offensive pages 148-149, footnote 12
(footnote 12) "Unfortunately the records are too scanty to provide details showing just how the 172d took this position. During the attack 1st Lt. Robert S. Scott almost singlehandedly halted a Japanese counterattack and for his gallantry was awarded the Medal of Honor. WD GO 81, 14 Oct 44."
Congressional Medal of Honor Society - Robert S. Scott (photo)
The New York Times "Robert S. Scott, Medal of Honor Winner, Dies at 85" by Richard Goldstein February 12, 1999
FindAGrave - Robert Sheldon Scott (photo, grave photo)

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