Robert S . Scott Colonel Robert Sheldon Scott ( November 30 , 1913 – February 5 , 1999 ) was a soldier of the United States Army who received the Medal of Honor for actions during World War II . He was born in Washington , D . C . , and graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1937 with a degree in English . In September 1941 , Scott was drafted into the US Army . After attending Officer ' s Candidate School he received a commission . Scott , who was a Second Lieutenant at the time of his action , was a member of the 172nd Infantry Regiment of the 43rd Infantry Division that successfully captured the Munda Point airstrip on the island of New Georgia , Solomon Islands from its Japanese defenders in the summer of 1943 . On July 29 , 1943 Japanese soldiers counter - attacked against the American assault on Morrison - Johnson Hill overlooking the airfield . Scott commanded the 3rd platoon , " C " Company , that he led into attack against the Japanese fortified position . 75 yards from the enemy soldiers , Scott became detached from the rest of his men . Despite being alone , being shot in the left hand and receiving a shrapnel wound to the head , Scott used the combination of his carbine and grenade s to kill 28 Japanese soldiers , causing the rest of the attacking soldiers to withdraw . Scott ' s colleagues consequently took the hill and later the airstrip . He was awarded the Medal of Honor in October 1944 at Aitape , New Guinea . In 1997 New Mexico , his home state , declared November 30 Robert Scott Day in his honor . He died at his home in Santa Fe on February 5 , 1999 , aged 85 . He is buried in Santa Fe National Cemetery Santa Fe , New Mexico . His grave can be found in Plot : 9 - 460 . Medal of Honor citation . Rank and organization : Captain ( then Lieutenant ) , U . S . Army , 172d Infantry , 43d Infantry Division . Place and date . Near Munda Air Strip , New Georgia , Solomon Islands , 29 July 1943 . Entered service at . Santa Fe , N . Mex . Birth : Washington , D . C . G . O . No . : 81 , 14 October 1944 . Citation : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty near Munda Airstrip , New Georgia , Solomon Islands , on 29 July 1943 . After 27 days of bitter fighting , the enemy held a hilltop salient which commanded the approach to Munda Airstrip . Our troops were exhausted from prolonged battle and heavy casualties , but Lt . Scott advanced with the leading platoon of his company to attack the enemy position , urging his men forward in the face of enemy rifle and enemy machinegun fire . He had pushed forward alone to a point midway across the barren hilltop within 75 yards of the enemy when the enemy launched a desperate counterattack , which if successful would have gained undisputed possession of the hill . Enemy riflemen charged out on the plateau , firing and throwing grenades as they moved to engage our troops . The company withdrew , but Lt . Scott , with only a blasted tree stump for cover , stood his ground against the wild enemy assault . By firing his carbine and throwing the grenades in his possession he momentarily stopped the enemy advance using the brief respite to obtain more grenades . Disregarding small - arms fire and exploding grenades aimed at him , suffering a bullet wound in the left hand and a painful shrapnel wound in the head after his carbine had been shot from his hand , he threw grenade after grenade with devastating accuracy until the beaten enemy withdrew . Our troops , inspired to renewed effort by Lt . Scott ' s intrepid stand and incomparable courage , swept across the plateau to capture the hill , and from this strategic position 4 days later captured Munda Airstrip .