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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: COL Robert Nett ~ October 27, 2008
Serving the Best Troops and Veterans in the World
| StarCMC and The VeggieTales
Posted on 10/26/2008 5:00:31 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: imahawk; StarCMC
Star did a great job in bringing us another hero.
41
posted on
10/26/2008 5:57:10 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: TASMANIANRED
HiYa
42
posted on
10/26/2008 5:57:19 PM PDT
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
To: Kathy in Alaska; StarCMC; All
To: Kathy in Alaska; StarCMC; All
KITTERY, Maine (Oct. 25, 2008) New Hampshire veterans from each service watch as the Virginia-class attack submarine USS New Hampshire (SSN 778) is commissioned at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. More than 3,500 people attended the ceremony held at the Navy's first shipyard. New Hampshire is the fifth Virginia-class submarine, the first major U.S. Navy combatant vessel class designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2ND Class Roadell Hickman)
GULF OF OMAN (Oct. 23, 2008) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Jean Blair studies her rate training manual in hangar bay two aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Roosvelt and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 are conducting operations in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility and are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Suits/Released)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Oct. 23, 2008) The Navy's Blue Angels Maintenance Support Crew debarks the Lockheed-Martin C-130T Hercules know as "Fat Albert" at Naval Air Station Jacksonville preparing for the 2008 Wings of Freedom Air Show. (U.S Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Gay/Released)
To: Old Sarge
Present and accounted for....good evening, Sarge. How is the project you and The Boy were working on coming? Music? Pictures?
45
posted on
10/26/2008 6:05:28 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: AZamericonnie
Thanks, AZ, for the red, white, and blue tribute.
46
posted on
10/26/2008 6:09:33 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: TASMANIANRED
Evenin' Tassy! ((hugs))
47
posted on
10/26/2008 6:14:20 PM PDT
by
MeekMom
(http://tinyurl.com/4ssjvn)
To: The Mayor
Great message tonight Rus. Thanks!
48
posted on
10/26/2008 6:14:55 PM PDT
by
MeekMom
(http://tinyurl.com/4ssjvn)
To: Kathy in Alaska
A little snag, but it will be up in a bit!
49
posted on
10/26/2008 6:15:12 PM PDT
by
Old Sarge
(Illic Est Haud Deus)
To: SandRat
My cat is a wildlife genius.
I visited a website with bird songs on it.
He located the speaker promptly and was patting the speaker and behind my laptop screen to find the bird.
Changed songs and played Canada Goose honks.. He started scanning the ceiling...
I think I brought him in off the street before he went totally woodsy.
I thought that was curious but could be a fluke. Played a couple of different songs and then went back to the Goose.
Scanned the ceiling again.
50
posted on
10/26/2008 6:16:53 PM PDT
by
TASMANIANRED
(TAZ:Untamed, Unpredictable, Uninhibited.)
To: AZamericonnie
{{{Connie!!!}}}
51
posted on
10/26/2008 6:17:15 PM PDT
by
MeekMom
(http://tinyurl.com/4ssjvn)
To: laurenmarlowe
52
posted on
10/26/2008 6:17:21 PM PDT
by
TASMANIANRED
(TAZ:Untamed, Unpredictable, Uninhibited.)
To: MeekMom
Evening Meeky. Hugz returned.
53
posted on
10/26/2008 6:18:11 PM PDT
by
TASMANIANRED
(TAZ:Untamed, Unpredictable, Uninhibited.)
To: laurenmarlowe
Evening Lauren. Hope all is well with you! ((hugs dear))
54
posted on
10/26/2008 6:18:38 PM PDT
by
MeekMom
(http://tinyurl.com/4ssjvn)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Good evening, Kathy.
Good evening, all!
55
posted on
10/26/2008 6:20:58 PM PDT
by
Tanniker Smith
(Teachers open the door. It's up to you to enter. Before the late bell. When I close the door.)
To: MeekMom; TASMANIANRED
Howdy ladies! *HUGS*
And wish for a nice evening to you both.
Heading out for some rest, y’all take care!
Comment #57 Removed by Moderator
To: TASMANIANRED
Update Java, with cream and sugar?
58
posted on
10/26/2008 6:31:54 PM PDT
by
BykrBayb
(May God have mercy on our souls. ~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
hello and Happy Monday! or as the Mamas and Papas would Say.... Monday Monday!
59
posted on
10/26/2008 6:32:17 PM PDT
by
philly-d-kidder
(Kuwait where the American troops are always Welcome..)
To: BykrBayb
Made a fresh brew..
Cream only.
Ahhhhh
60
posted on
10/26/2008 6:47:23 PM PDT
by
TASMANIANRED
(TAZ:Untamed, Unpredictable, Uninhibited.)
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