2020 -- H 8027

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

POSTHUMOUSLY HONORING RHODE ISLAND NATIVE FIRST LIEUTENANT AND

MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT ROBERT T. WAUGH FOR HIS HEROIC SERVICE TO

OUR NATION IN WORLD WAR II

     Introduced By: Representatives Marszalkowski, McLaughlin, Ackerman, Mattiello, and
Shekarchi

     Date Introduced: June 17, 2020

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Robert T. Waugh was born on January 16, 1919, in Ashton, the son of John

and Emma Waugh. He attended Cumberland High School and graduated in 1936. In 1937, his

family moved to Maine when his father took a job as a Supervisor with the Edwards

Manufacturing Company. Robert also took a job with the company as a Machinery Overhauler;

and

     WHEREAS, On April 4, 1938, Robert Waugh joined the Maine National Guard and on

December 1, 1939, he enlisted in the United States Army, and was assigned to serve as a line

mechanic with the United States Army Air Corps at Langley Field, Virginia. In January of 1941,

he was transferred to Losey Field, Ponce, Puerto Rico, and shortly thereafter, was promoted to

Sergeant and transferred to the infantry; and

     WHEREAS, After joining the infantry, Sergeant Waugh was sent to Camp Wolters in

Texas where he served as a Recruit Instructor. In September of 1942, he entered Officers

Candidate School and graduated as a Second Lieutenant. He was assigned to serve with the 85th

Infantry Division, 339th Infantry Regiment at Camp Shelby in Mississippi, where he trained until

December 23, 1943, when he departed for Africa and Italy; and

     WHEREAS, Shortly after arriving in Naples, Lieutenant Waugh and the 85th Division,

339th Infantry Regiment, were sent to the Gustav Line, a heavily fortified German defensive line

in Italy that was defended by fifteen German Divisions, anchored at Monte Cassino. To reach

Rome, the Allies had to break through the Gustav Line; and

     WHEREAS, In May, Lieutenant Waugh’s Infantry Regiment attacked the Gustav Line.

Lieutenant Waugh risked his life on many occasions during this battle. When attacking an enemy-

held hill, he alone reconnoitered a heavily mined area before later entering it with his platoon.

While directing his men to deliver fire on six German bunkers guarding the hill, he alone

advanced towards them and upon reaching the first bunker, he threw three grenades into it and

killed the defenders with his machine gun as they exited the bunker. He repeated the process on

the remaining five bunkers, killing or capturing all of the occupants; and

     WHEREAS, Later, on May 14, Lieutenant Waugh ordered his men to lay fire on German

pillboxes defending a knoll that commanded the only path up the hill. He proceeded to run to the

first pillbox, throw grenades into it, and kill the defenders once they were driven into the open.

He repeated the same action with the second pillbox, which was also destroyed. Lieutenant

Waugh also, at other points in the battle, maintained communication amongst various American

held positions by running through a constantly shelled battlefield to deliver messages; and

     WHEREAS, Altogether, Lieutenant Waugh destroyed six bunkers, two pillboxes, and

was personally responsible for numerous enemy fatalities and the capture of 25 others. He was

credited for inspiring his fellow soldiers to continue fighting on under dire conditions, and played

a vital role in the ultimate breaking of the Gustav Line; and

     WHEREAS, For his heroic service to our nation in Italy during World War II, Lieutenant

Robert T. Waugh received the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor “For his conspicuous

gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the

enemy”; and

     WHEREAS, Tragically, on May 19, 1944, Second Lieutenant Robert T. Waugh perished

in service to our nation when he was hit by shrapnel. He was posthumously promoted to the rank

of First Lieutenant and is buried in Italy. On the fiftieth Anniversary of the Gustav Line battles

and the creation of this cemetery, President Bill Clinton visited First Lieutenant Robert Waugh’s

gravesite; and

     WHEREAS, Lieutenant Robert Waugh left behind his wife, Helen Waugh, his parents

John and Emma, and his siblings John and Mildred; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby posthumously honors Rhode Island native and Medal of Honor

recipient Robert Waugh for his heroic bravery and sacrifice in service to our nation during World

War II. May we never forget the sacrifices all of our veterans have made to preserve our precious

freedoms and liberties; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Jeff Mutter, Mayor of

Cumberland, and Mr. Clinton Curtis.

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