Robert T. Waugh

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Robert T. Waugh, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on May 11 - 14, 1944, while serving with 339th Infantry Regiment, 85th Infantry Division, in action, in action with the enemy at Tremensucli, Italy. In the course of an attack upon an enemy-held hill on 11 May 1944, First Lieutenant 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, First Lieutenant 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, First Lieutenant 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 First Lieutenant 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.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 79, October 4, 1944

Action Date: May 11 - 14, 1944

Service: Army

Rank: First Lieutenant

Regiment: 339th Infantry Regiment

Division: 85th Infantry Division