Home : About : History

Medal of Honor Recipients

Robert B. Nett

  • RANK: CAPTAIN (RANK AT TIME OF ACTION: FIRST LIEUTENANT)
  • CONFLICT/ERA: WORLD WAR II
  • UNIT/COMMAND:
    COMPANY E, 2D BATTALION, 305TH INFANTRY,
    77TH INFANTRY DIVISION
  • MILITARY SERVICE BRANCH: U.S. ARMY
  • MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION DATE: DECEMBER 14, 1944
  • MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION PLACE: NEAR COGNON, LEYTE, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

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.
 

Lee R. Hartell

  • RANK: FIRST LIEUTENANT
  • CONFLICT/ERA: KOREAN WAR
  • UNIT/COMMAND:
    BATTERY A, 15TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION,
    2D INFANTRY DIVISION
  • MILITARY SERVICE BRANCH: U.S. ARMY
  • MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION DATE: AUGUST 27, 1951
  • MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION PLACE: KOBANGSAN-NI, KOREA

Citation

1st Lt. Hartell, a member of Battery A, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations. During the darkness of early morning, the enemy launched a ruthless attack against friendly positions on a rugged mountainous ridge. 1st Lt. Hartell, attached to Company B, 9th Infantry Regiment, as forward observer, quickly moved his radio to an exposed vantage on the ridgeline to adjust defensive fires. Realizing the tactical advantage of illuminating the area of approach, he called for flares and then directed crippling fire into the onrushing assailants. At this juncture a large force of hostile troops swarmed up the slope in banzai charge and came within 10 yards of 1st Lt. Hartell's position. 1st Lt. Hartell sustained a severe hand wound in the ensuing encounter, but grasped the microphone with his other hand and maintained his magnificent stand until the front and left flank of the company were protected by a close-in wall of withering fire, causing the fanatical foe to disperse and fall back momentarily. After the numerically superior enemy overran an outpost and was closing on his position, 1st Lt. Hartell, in a final radio call, urged the friendly elements to fire both batteries continuously. Although mortally wounded, 1st Lt. Hartell's intrepid actions contributed significantly to stemming the onslaught and enabled his company to maintain the strategic strongpoint. His consummate valor and unwavering devotion to duty reflect lasting glory on himself and uphold the noble traditions of the military service.