Neal Anderson Scott
Encyclopedia
Neal Anderson Scott, born May 21, 1919 at Montgomery, Alabama
, was appointed Assistant Paymaster
with the rank of Ensign, U.S. Naval Reserve, April 8, 1942.
Graduate School of Business Administration, Boston, Massachusetts, he was ordered to the 12th Naval District for further assignment. On October 10, 1942, Ensign Scott 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, Smith, assigned to screen USS Enterprise (CV-6)
, was crashed by a torpedo plane causing the entire forward topside to erupt in flames. Ensign 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...”
.
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.
Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
, was appointed Assistant Paymaster
Paymaster
A paymaster often is, but is not required to be, a lawyer . When dealing with commission payments on contracts dealing with large amounts of money , most banks in the United States are very wary of handling such large amounts of money...
with the rank of Ensign, U.S. Naval Reserve, April 8, 1942.
Navy career
After instruction at the Navy Supply Corps School, Harvard UniversityHarvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
Graduate School of Business Administration, Boston, Massachusetts, he was ordered to the 12th Naval District for further assignment. On October 10, 1942, Ensign Scott reported for duty in USS Smith (DD-378)
USS Smith (DD-378)
The second USS Smith was a Mahan-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Lieutenant Joseph B. Smith, USN...
, then operating in the Solomons.
On the 26th, as the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands
Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands
The Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, 26 October 1942, sometimes referred to as the Battle of Santa Cruz or in Japanese sources as the , was the fourth carrier battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II and the fourth major naval engagement fought between the United States Navy and the Imperial...
raged, Smith, assigned to screen USS Enterprise (CV-6)
USS Enterprise (CV-6)
USS Enterprise , colloquially referred to as the "Big E," was the sixth aircraft carrier of the United States Navy and the seventh U.S. Navy ship to bear the name. Launched in 1936, she was a ship of the Yorktown class, and one of only three American carriers commissioned prior to World War II to...
, was crashed by a torpedo plane causing the entire forward topside to erupt in flames. Ensign 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 CrossNavy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
.
Namesake
USS Neal A. Scott (DE-769)USS Neal A. Scott (DE-769)
USS Neal A. Scott was a built for the United States Navy during World War II. She served in the Atlantic Ocean and provided escort service against submarine and air attack for Navy vessels and convoys....
was named in his honor. The ship was laid down June 1, 1943 by the Tampa Shipbuilding Company, Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
; 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.