FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: COL Robert Nett ~ October 27, 2008

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

COL Robert Nett

Info from this website.

           

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.

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.

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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[TASMANIANRED]

Like I said...All the things you love.

[TASMANIANRED]

I remember.. Hugs..

[TASMANIANRED]

Just got a report.. Dogs chased the cat through the house.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening/morning, Mooch. I missed you. Have you been working hard? Proofing? Editing?

[HiJinx]

Yes, it will fill my freezer!
Thanks for the kudos...it was hard work!

[TASMANIANRED]

Time for me to go.

Nighty Night.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Nana Hope, for today's Pledge. Thanks, AfghanMan and Penguin Girl, for your service to America.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

I think I’ll head out too/
G’night all!
Hugs alla round!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Sand....a good weekend? Lazy Boy?

[HiJinx]

G’night Ms. B.

Me too. See everyone tomorrow.

[Kathy in Alaska]

LOL! A long time. It’s hard to find a 6th place.

Good night, Taz, and safe journey.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

*HUG*
Nite Jinxy!
Sorry we didn’t get to chat!
Maybe tomorrow?

[Kathy in Alaska]

MS B....YOU BE CAREFUL AS YOU ARE CLEANING!! Don’t forget to rest.

You have to be in tiptop shape for the next week.

Good luck, Mr B!!

[PERKY2004]

Hi Kathy! I had a nice and busy weekend. Had dinner with a girlfriend on Friday night, which was nice. Saturday was yard day — I cut down a TON of morning glory vines while the gardeners removed five trees from our yard .... it was hot and messy ... but looks sooo nice now. Today was church, shopping, and recovering from the yard work! (Ouch! I’m getting too old for this.)

The best part? Exactly one week from tonight I will be at the airport, picking up my wonderful Hubby! (Assuming he makes all his flights, of course!)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Happy Birthday, Sarge!!

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[Kathy in Alaska]

Good night and rest well, HJ. Thank you for your service to our country and for helping honor our troops.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, Mayor, and thanks for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, lauren, for our National Anthem...singing along.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Very cool cat!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, TS....may you have a great teaching day. Hope you had a wonderful weekend.