Norman Scott (admiral)

Rear Admiral Norman Scott was a highly decorated officer in the United States Navy who served during both World War I and World War II. He is best known for his leadership and tactical victory at the Battle of Cape Esperance, and his ultimate sacrifice during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. He was one of only five U.S. Navy admirals killed in action during the Second World War.

Admiral Scott met his end during a chaotic nighttime engagement in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. He was killed along with many of his staff members when his flagship, the light cruiser USS Atlanta, was accidentally struck by friendly gunfire from the heavy cruiser USS San Francisco.

For his extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry during the Guadalcanal campaign, Admiral Scott was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His legacy of leadership under fire remains a prominent chapter in the history of the United States Navy's surface warfare operations in the Pacific.