Rank and organization: Captain (then Lieutenant), U.S. Army, Company E, 305th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Cognon, Leyte, Philippine Islands, 14 December 1944. Entered service at: New Haven, Conn. Birth: New Haven, Conn. G.O. No.: 16, 8 February 1946.
Citation... He commanded Company E in an attack against a reinforced
enemy battalion which had held up the American advance for 2 days from
its entrenched positions around a 3-story concrete building. With
another infantry company and armored vehicles, Company E advanced
against heavy machinegun and other automatic weapons fire with Lt. Nett
spearheading the assault against the strongpoint. During the fierce
hand-to-hand encounter which ensued, he killed 7 deeply entrenched
Japanese with his rifle and bayonet and, although seriously wounded,
gallantly continued to lead his men forward, refusing to relinquish his
command. |
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Again he was severely wounded, but, still unwilling to retire, pressed ahead with his troops to assure the capture of the objective. Wounded once more in the final assault, he calmly made all arrangements for the resumption of the advance, turned over his command to another officer, and then walked unaided to the rear for medical treatment. By his remarkable courage in continuing forward through sheer determination despite successive wounds, Lt. Nett provided an inspiring example for his men and was instrumental in the capture of a vital strongpoint. | |
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