Robert B. Nett

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Robert B. Nett
Born June 9, 1922 (1922-06-09) (age 86)

Place of birth New Haven, Connecticut
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Rank Colonel
Unit 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Medal of Honor

Robert B. Nett (born June 9, 1922) is a former lieutenant in Company E of the 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions on December 14, 1944 on Leyte during the campaign to recapture the Philippines from Japan.

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[edit] 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 3-story concrete building. With another infantry company and armored vehicles, Company E advanced against heavy machinegun and other automatic weapons 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 or 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."

[edit] After the war

Nett continued his service in the army after the war for 33 years retiring with the rank of colonel. He is still involved in Army affairs, giving frequent lectures on leadership and duty. He lectures every class of the Officer Candidate School (OCS), and is frequently invited to give talks to the Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning. He is often regarded as the "Father of the Officer Candidate School".

He has been inducted into the Army Ranger Hall of Fame and the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame, an honor reserved for those OCS graduates who were awarded the Medal of Honor or rose to the rank of Colonel. In addition, the classroom building in the OCS area at Ft. Benning is named for him, and the Leadership Hall for the Connecticut National Guard at Camp Rell in Niantic is also named in his honor. In January of 2007 the USO awarded him the Spirit of Hope Award.

[edit] See also

United States Army Portal

[edit] External links