b. 16/01/1919 Ashton, Rhode Island. d. 19/05/1944 Itri, Italy.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 11-14/05/1944 Hill 79, near Tremensuoli, Italy.
Robert T Waugh MOH
Waugh joined the Army from Augusta, Maine, and by May 11, 1944 was serving as a first lieutenant in the 339th Infantry Regiment, 85th Infantry Division. On that day, during an attack on a hill near Tremensuoli, Italy, Waugh single-handedly captured six enemy bunkers. Three days later, as the battle for the hill continued, he captured two more enemy emplacements. He was killed in action the next week and, on October 4, 1944, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His widow was presented with the Medal at Fort Dupont in Delaware by Major General Henry Terrell.
MOH CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the 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 six 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 tommy gun. He repeated this process on the five 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 two 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 six bunkers and two 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.
BURIAL LOCATION: ABMC SICILY-ROME AMERICAN CEMETERY, NETTUNO, ITALY.
PLOT H, ROW 13, GRAVE 37.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
