Rear Admiral Norman Scott, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for gallantry between November 12 and 13, 1942 in Iron Bottom Sound, Savo Island, Solomon Islands during World War II. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Atlanta (flagship). Scott was 53 years old.
Scott was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. 3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on December 9, 1942.
Scott was born on August 10, 1889 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. His Medal of Honor is credited to Indiana. He is buried at A.B.M.C. Manila Cemetery.
Scott is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 75 credited to Indiana.
Official Medal of Honor 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 eight 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (November 13, 1942).
- Age at death: 53
- Resting place: A.B.M.C. Manila Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Norman Scott received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II, World War I.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Education: United States Naval Academy
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Indiana →
Timeline
- August 10, 1889Born in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
- November 12 - 13, 1942Act of valor — Iron Bottom Sound, Savo Island, Solomon IslandsAge 53. U.S.S. Atlanta (flagship) Killed in action.
- December 9, 1942Medal of Honor presented posthumously
- Resting placeA.B.M.C. Manila Cemetery
Biography
Norman (Nicholas) Scott (August 10, 1889 – November 13, 1942) was a rear admiral in the United States Navy. He was killed along with many of his staff when the ship he was on – the light cruiser USS Atlanta – was hit by gunfire from the heavy cruiser USS San Francisco during the nighttime fighting in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. He was the second of five US Navy admirals killed in battle during WWII, including: Isaac C. Kidd (1941, Attack on Pearl Harbor); Daniel J. Callaghan (later on same night, in same battle, as Scott); Henry M. Mullinnix (1943, Battle of Makin); and Theodore E. Chandler (1945, invasion of Lingayen Gulf).
From the Wikipedia article “Norman Scott (admiral)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
