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 brutal fighting against entrenched German defenses along the Gustav Line in Italy.

As his platoon prepared to attack an enemy-held hill protected by mines and fortified bunkers, Waugh personally reconnoitered the heavily mined terrain ahead of his men.

Once the attack began, he directed his platoon’s fire onto six enemy bunkers guarding the hill.

Then he advanced alone.

Armed with phosphorus grenades and a Thompson submachine gun, Waugh assaulted the first bunker, throwing grenades inside before firing on the German defenders as they attempted to escape.

He repeated the same deadly assault against all six bunkers.

By the end of the action, the enemy strongpoints had been destroyed and their defenders either killed or captured.

Three days later, on the morning of 14 May, Waugh again led from the front during another assault against German defenses.

Two enemy pillboxes overlooking the only trail up the hill blocked the American advance.

Ordering his platoon to establish a base of fire, Waugh charged the first pillbox alone, hurled grenades into the position, and killed the defenders as they fled.

He immediately attacked the second pillbox and destroyed it in the same manner.

His fearless assaults shattered the German defenses at a critical point along the Gustav Line.

During the fighting, Waugh personally accounted for approximately 30 enemy killed and 25 captured.

Later in the campaign, he was killed in action while once again leading his platoon in combat.

His courage, leadership, and relentless aggressiveness 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.