Medal of Honor: Robert T. Waugh - World War II - May 11-14, 1944

Name: Robert T. Waugh
Rank: First Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: 339th Infantry, 85th Infantry Division
Date of Action: May 11-14, 1944
Location: Near Tremensuoli, Italy

Summary of Action

Between 11 and 14 May 1944, First Lieutenant Robert T. Waugh displayed extraordinary heroism during the Allied assault against the German Gustav Line in Italy.

On 11 May, Waugh personally reconnoitered a heavily mined area before leading his platoon forward against an enemy-held hill protected by six German bunkers.

After directing his men to place suppressive fire on the enemy positions, Waugh advanced alone.

Armed with phosphorus grenades and a Thompson submachine gun, he attacked the first bunker by himself.

He hurled grenades inside and then killed the defenders as they emerged from the shattered position.

Without hesitation, he repeated the same attack against the remaining five bunkers.

One by one, he destroyed or captured every enemy strongpoint guarding the hill.

Three days later, on 14 May, Waugh again led the attack during fighting against two enemy pillboxes positioned on a knoll dominating the only trail up the hill.

Ordering his platoon to establish a base of fire, he charged forward alone.

He reached the first pillbox under enemy fire, threw grenades inside, and killed the defenders as they fled the position.

Then he assaulted the second pillbox in exactly the same manner.

His fearless attacks shattered the enemy defenses at a critical point along the Gustav Line and helped break one of the strongest German defensive systems in Italy.

By the end of the fighting, Waugh had personally accounted for approximately thirty enemy dead and twenty-five prisoners while destroying six bunkers and two pillboxes.

He was later killed in action near Itri, Italy, while once again leading his platoon in combat.

His courage, aggressiveness, and complete disregard for his own safety reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

WAUGH, ROBERT T.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy. In the course of an attack upon an enemy-held hill on 11 May, 1st Lt. Waugh personally reconnoitered a heavily mined area before entering it with his platoon. Directing his men to deliver fire on 6 bunkers guarding this hill, 1st Lt. Waugh advanced alone against them, reached the first bunker, threw phosphorus grenades into it and as the defenders emerged, killed them with a burst from his tommygun. He repeated this process on the 5 remaining bunkers, killing or capturing the occupants. On the morning of 14 May, 1st Lt. Waugh ordered his platoon to lay a base of fire on 2 enemy pillboxes located on a knoll which commanded the only trail up the hill. He then ran to the first pillbox, threw several grenades into it, drove the defenders into the open, and killed them. The second pillbox was next taken by this intrepid officer by similar methods. The fearless actions of 1st Lt. Waugh broke the Gustav Line at that point, neutralizing 6 bunkers and 2 pillboxes and he was personally responsible for the death of 30 of the enemy and the capture of 25 others. He was later killed in action in Itri, Italy, while leading his platoon in an attack.