Captain Robert Burton Nett was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on December 14, 1944 near Cognon, Leyte, Philippine Islands during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 305th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division. Nett was 22 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on February 8, 1946. New Haven, Connecticut, presented by Lt. Gen. Oscar W. Griswold. He later rose to the rank of Colonel.
Nett was born on June 13, 1922 in New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut. Nett died on October 19, 2008 in Columbus, Georgia, at the age of 86. He is buried at Fort Benning Post Cemetery in Fort Benning, Georgia. His medal is held by National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center, Fort Benning, GA.
Nett is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 57 credited to Connecticut.
Official Medal of Honor citation
He commanded Company E in an attack against a reinforced enemy battalion which had held up the American advance for two days from its entrenched positions around a three-story concrete building. With another infantry company and armored vehicles, Company E advanced against heavy machine-gun and other automatic-weapon fire with Lt. Nett spearheading the assault against the strongpoint. During the fierce hand-to-hand encounter which ensued, he killed seven deeply entrenched Japanese with his rifle and bayonet and, although seriously wounded, gallantly continued to lead his men forward, refusing to relinquish his command. Again he was severely wounded, but, still unwilling to retire, pressed ahead with his troops to assure the capture of the objective. Wounded once more in the final assault, he calmly made all arrangements for the resumption of the advance, turned over his command to another officer, and then walked unaided to the rear for medical treatment. By his remarkable courage in continuing forward through sheer determination despite successive wounds, Lt. Nett provided an inspiring example for his men and was instrumental in the capture of a vital strongpoint.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
During the fierce hand-to-hand encounter which ensued, he killed seven deeply entrenched Japanese with his rifle and bayonet and, although seriously wounded, gallantly continued to lead his men forward, refusing to relinquish his command.
Again he was severely wounded, but, still unwilling to retire, pressed ahead with his troops to assure the capture of the objective.
By his remarkable courage in continuing forward through sheer determination despite successive wounds, Lt. Nett provided an inspiring example for his men and was instrumental in the capture of a vital strongpoint.
- Age at death: 86
- Resting place: Fort Benning Post Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Robert Burton Nett received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Life beyond the battlefield
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Connecticut →
Timeline
- June 13, 1922Born in New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut
- December 14, 1944Act of valor — near Cognon, Leyte, Philippine IslandsAge 22. Company E, 2d Battalion, 305th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division
- February 8, 1946Medal of Honor presentedNew Haven, Connecticut, presented by Lt. Gen. Oscar W. Griswold
- October 19, 2008Died in Columbus, GeorgiaAge 86.
- Resting placeFort Benning Post CemeteryFort Benning, Georgia
Biography
Robert Burton Nett (June 13, 1922 – October 19, 2008) was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the campaign to recapture the Philippines in World War II.
From the Wikipedia article “Robert B. Nett”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
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