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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: COL Robert Nett ~ May 10, 2010
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans in The World !!
| StarCMC
Posted on 05/09/2010 5:00:00 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska
Our Troops Rock! Thank you for all you do! |
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For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces. |
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Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today! |
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~ Hall of Heroes ~ COL Robert Nett Info from this website. |
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Robert B. Nett (born June 9, 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.
A native of New Haven, Connecticut, Nett enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1940 at age seventeen. The minimum enlistment age was eighteen years, however Nett was able to join by creasing his birth certificate so that his year of birth was obscured. Two years later, he was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he graduated from Officer Candidate School. Nett was then sent to the Philippines, where he met his future wife, Frances, an Army nurse.
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By December 14, 1944, Nett was a lieutenant in Company E of the 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division. On that day, near Cognon, Leyte, during the Battle of Ormoc Bay, Nett led his company on an assault against a heavily fortified Japanese position. Despite being seriously wounded twice in hand-to-hand fighting, he continued to lead his men until being wounded a third time. After making arrangements for the leadership of his company, he left the front lines to seek medical aid. Nett survived his wounds and recovered enough to rejoin his unit for the Okinawa Campaign. His division was then sent to Cebu and began training for the planned invasion of Japan. The invasion was canceled after the surrender of Japan in August 1945, marking the end of the war.
On February 8, 1946, a year after the battle near Cognon, Nett was issued the Medal of Honor for his actions during that fight. A ceremony was held in his hometown of New Haven, and President Harry S. Truman was to have presented him with the medal there, but had to cancel in order to attend to the formation of the United Nations.
Nett's official Medal of Honor citation reads: He commanded Company E in an attack against a reinforced enemy battalion which had held up the American advance for 2 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 7 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.
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Nett continued his service in the army after the war for 33 years, retiring with the rank of colonel. He was involved in Army affairs, giving frequent lectures on leadership and duty. He lectured every class of the Officer Candidate School (OCS), and was frequently invited to give talks to the Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning. He is considered the "Father of the Officer Candidate School".
He was 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 2007 the United Service Organizations (USO) awarded him the Spirit of Hope Award.
Colonel Nett died on 19 October 2008. He is survived by his wife Frances , who lives in Columbus, Georgia. Their son, Robert Nett Jr., also served in the U.S. Army.
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Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families. This is a politics-free zone! Thanks for helping us in our mission! |
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; military; troopsupport
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To: LUV W
Thank you Luv - I would be delighted to show you!
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
121
posted on
05/09/2010 8:45:10 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN '69 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!)
To: PROCON
Hiya, Procon - will be packing it in soon - 0500 tomorrow, :)
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
122
posted on
05/09/2010 8:47:17 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN '69 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!)
To: ConorMacNessa
How long is your commute to work? (timewise)
123
posted on
05/09/2010 8:49:49 PM PDT
by
oldteen
To: ConorMacNessa; BIGLOOK; LUV W; All
I took this shot in D.C, at The Gathering Of Eagles.
Thought you might like it.
124
posted on
05/09/2010 8:50:06 PM PDT
by
MS.BEHAVIN
(Women who behave rarely make history)
To: LUV W
125
posted on
05/09/2010 8:50:47 PM PDT
by
MS.BEHAVIN
(Women who behave rarely make history)
To: ConorMacNessa
Have a great, restful night!
126
posted on
05/09/2010 8:51:27 PM PDT
by
PROCON
(Thank you Troops and Veterans!)
To: MS.BEHAVIN

EEEEEEK!!!!
LOL!
127
posted on
05/09/2010 8:51:31 PM PDT
by
luvie
(DIMs?......start packin'--you're fired!)
To: oldteen
It's over an hour each way.
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
128
posted on
05/09/2010 8:52:48 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN '69 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!)
To: LUV W
LOL
Did you have a good day?
129
posted on
05/09/2010 8:53:00 PM PDT
by
MS.BEHAVIN
(Women who behave rarely make history)
To: ConorMacNessa
God rest the souls of the fallen heroes!
Thank you for bringing them to our attention...though
it breaks my heart to see their beautiful faces!
130
posted on
05/09/2010 8:53:01 PM PDT
by
luvie
(DIMs?......start packin'--you're fired!)
To: MS.BEHAVIN
131
posted on
05/09/2010 8:53:24 PM PDT
by
luvie
(DIMs?......start packin'--you're fired!)
To: LUV W
132
posted on
05/09/2010 8:53:53 PM PDT
by
MS.BEHAVIN
(Women who behave rarely make history)
To: MS.BEHAVIN
It was a great day...thanks, Sis!
How was yours?
133
posted on
05/09/2010 8:53:58 PM PDT
by
luvie
(DIMs?......start packin'--you're fired!)
To: LUV W
Quiet and easy..
For once.
Mike isn’t feeling all that great..
134
posted on
05/09/2010 8:55:12 PM PDT
by
MS.BEHAVIN
(Women who behave rarely make history)
To: MS.BEHAVIN
That's a singlular photo shot, Little Devil. A keeper.
You volunteered to be my escort if I ever visit the Wall. Holding you to it.
135
posted on
05/09/2010 8:55:24 PM PDT
by
BIGLOOK
(Keelhaul Congress!)
To: Kathy in Alaska; MS.BEHAVIN; LUV W; PROCON; oldteen; AZamericonnie
Must retire - 0500 call tomorrow - will see you all tomorrow! God save all here and God Bless the United States of America!
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
136
posted on
05/09/2010 8:55:29 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN '69 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!)
To: ConorMacNessa
Makes for a long day. Hubby used to do that but there was no train. Drive it everyday. Got real tired of it.
137
posted on
05/09/2010 8:56:15 PM PDT
by
oldteen
To: MS.BEHAVIN
Quiet and easy are good....but I am not happy to hear that
Mike isn’t feeling good. :(
(((gentle hugs))) for him!...and you!
138
posted on
05/09/2010 8:56:20 PM PDT
by
luvie
(DIMs?......start packin'--you're fired!)
To: oldteen
G’night Conor. Rest well. Have a great Monday. *hugs*
139
posted on
05/09/2010 8:57:01 PM PDT
by
oldteen
To: ConorMacNessa
140
posted on
05/09/2010 8:57:16 PM PDT
by
PROCON
(Thank you Troops and Veterans!)
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