While aboard the light cruiser USS Atlanta off the coast of Guadalcanal, Admiral Scott directed his ships to intercept a Japanese bombardment force comprising two battleships, a light cruiser, and six destroyers steaming toward Guadalcanal to shell Henderson Field.

As two Japanese destroyers crossed Atlanta's line of fire, an enemy torpedo punched into Atlanta's forward engine room, causing an interruption of her gunfire. Shortly thereafter, the Atlanta reeled under the impact of a flurry of nineteen 8-inch hits from the American heavy cruiser San Francisco.

Due to the urgency of battle, darkness, and confused intermingling of friendly and enemy warships, the San Francisco had accidentally fired into her. Fragments from the impact of these projectiles killed many men, including Rear Admiral Scott. Because of his extraordinary heroism during this action, Admiral Scott was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

The U.S. Navy ships USS Norman Scott (DD-690), 1943 - 1973, and USS Scott (DDG-995), 1981 - 1998, were named in honor of Rear Admiral Scott.

Medal of Honor
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Division: U.S.S. Atlanta (CL-51)
Citation: The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Rear Admiral Norman Scott (NSN: 0-7749), United States Navy-

"For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty during action against enemy Japanese forces off Savo Island on the night of 11 - 12 October and again on the night of 12 - 13 November 1942.
...
In the earlier action, intercepting a Japanese Task Force intent upon storming our island positions and landing reinforcements at Guadalcanal, Rear Admiral Scott, with courageous skill and superb coordination of the units under his command, destroyed eight hostile vessels and put the others to flight.
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Again challenged, a month later, by the return of a stubborn and persistent foe, he led his force into a desperate battle against tremendous odds, directing close-range operations against the invading enemy until he himself was killed in the furious bombardment by their superior firepower.
...
On each of these occasions, his dauntless initiative, inspiring leadership and judicious foresight in a crisis of grave responsibility contributed decisively to the rout of a powerful invasion fleet and to the consequent frustration of a formidable Japanese offensive. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country."