World War II Honoree

Scott Aubrey 'Scotty' Ambrose

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Elgin, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE ON AUGUST 26, 1943. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER WITH THE 160TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 40TH INFANTRY 'SUNSHINE' DIVISION. HIS REGIMENT PARTICIPATED IN THE BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO, LUZON, AND SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES CAMPAIGNS. THE REGIMENT ARRIVED AT CAPE GLOUCESTER ON NEW BRITAIN ISLAND IN THE BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO ON APRIL 28, 1944, ENGAGED IN GENERAL SECURITY OPERATIONS UNTIL NOVEMBER 27, 1944, AND DEPARTED ON DECEMBER 9, 1944. ARRIVED AT HUON GULF, NEW GUINEA ON DECEMBER 18, 1944 EN ROUTE TO THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. LANDED IN THE BAYBAY-LINGAYEN GULF, LUZON AREA IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ON JANUARY 9, 1945, FORCED A BRIDGEHEAD AT BAMBAN ON JANUARY 23, 1945, AND ENCOUNTERED THE JAPANESE MAIN LINE OF DEFENSE IN THE BAMBAN HILLS. ATTACKED UP STORM KING MOUNTAIN ON FEBRUARY 6, 1945, AND CAPTURED OBJECT HILL ON FEBRUARY 19, 1945. LANDED AT PANAY ISLAND ON MARCH 26, 1945, AND NEGROS ISLAND MARCH 30, 1945, IN THE VISAYAS REGION OF THE PHILIPPINES. ATTACKED THE JAPANESE DEFENSES IN THE NEGRITOS-PATOG AREA BEGINNING APRIL 9, 1945. FIGHTING WAS INTENSE ALONG THE RAVINES AND RIDGES IN A TORRENTIAL RAIN AND IN THE FACE OF REPEATED JAPANESE COUNTERATTACKS. HIS REGIMENT WAS HALTED, GAINED AND LOST HILL 3155 BETWEEN APRIL 18, 1945 UNTIL FINALLY TAKING THE HIGH GROUND ON MAY 23, 1945. HIS UNIT WAS LOCATED ON NEGROS FOR REHABILITATION AND TRAINING WHEN THE ATOMIC BOMBS WERE DROPPED ON JAPAN AND THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED THE UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER TERMS ON AUGUST 14, 1945; AND PRESIDENT TRUMAN ANNOUNCED VICTORY OVER JAPAN DAY (V-J DAY) ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1945. ARRIVED IN KOREA ON SEPTEMBER 22, 1945 AND SERVED WITH OCCUPATION FORCES AFTER THE WAR. AWARDED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, EXPERT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BRONZE ARROWHEAD (AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT LANDING) AND 3 BRONZE SERVICE STARS (3 CAMPAIGNS), WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL. AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR SERVICE BY HIS REGIMENT IN THE WAR AGAINST JAPAN DURING THE PERIOD OCTOBER 17, 1944 TO JULY 4, 1945. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE SERVICE STAR FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON JANUARY 7, 1946 WITH THE RANK OF STAFF SERGEANT AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.