Allegiance United States Awards Navy Cross Name Neal Scott | Rank Ensign Unit USS Smith | |
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Born May 21, 1919
Montgomery, Alabama ( 1919-05-21 ) Battles/wars World War II
Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands Died October 26, 1942, Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands Battles and wars Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, World War II | ||
Service/branch U.S. Naval Reserve | ||
Neal Anderson Scott, (May 21, 1919 – October 26, 1942), was a naval officer who died while in service with the United States Naval Reserve during World War II, and who was awarded the Navy Cross.
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Navy career
Born in Montgomery, Alabama, Scott was appointed Assistant Paymaster with the rank of Ensign, U.S. Naval Reserve, April 8, 1942. After instruction at the Navy Supply Corps School, Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration, Boston, Massachusetts, he was ordered to the 12th Naval District for further assignment. On October 10, 1942, he reported for duty in USS Smith (DD-378), then operating in the Solomons.
On the 26th, as the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands raged, USS Smith, assigned to screen USS Enterprise (CV-6), was crashed by a torpedo plane causing the entire forward topside to erupt in flames. Scott, mortally wounded, “... exhorted the gun crews to sustain heavy and accurate fire against the enemy ...” in defense of Enterprise. Although he died of his wounds before the day was over, “... his gallant fighting spirit and remarkable courage served as an inspiration to the crew of the ship in helping to render ineffective the enemy attacks...”
Awarded the Navy Cross
In recognition of his contribution, Ensign Scott was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
Namesake
USS Neal A. Scott (DE-769) was named in his honor. The ship was laid down June 1, 1943 by the Tampa Shipbuilding Company, Tampa, Florida; launched June 4, 1944; co-sponsored by Mrs. Leigh Scott and Miss Margaret Scott, mother and sister, respectively, of Ens. Scott; and commissioned July 31, 1944 with Lt. P. D. Holden in command.