MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT

Hibbs, Robert J.

Omaha, NE

ARMY

2LT

4/21/1943

Panel 005E Line 118

N/A

09/16/1965

3/5/1966

3/5/1966

South Vietnam

Binh Duong

48PXT772442

YES

1542 = Infantry Unit Commander

1ST PLT, B CO, 2ND BN, 28TH INFANTRY, 1ST INF DIV, USARV

Recovered.

Des Moines, IA

26 January 1967

Presented to recipient's family by Secretary of Army, Stanley Resor at Fort Myers, VA

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 2nd Lt. Hibbs was in command of a 15-man ambush patrol of the 2nd Battalion, when his unit observed a company of Viet Cong advancing along the road toward the 2nd Battalion's position. Informing his command post by radio of the impending attack, he prepared his men for the oncoming Viet Cong, emplaced two mines in their path, and, when the insurgents were within 20 feet of the patrol's position, he fired the two antipersonnel mines, wounding or killing half of the enemy company. Then, to cover the withdrawal of his patrol, he threw hand grenades, stepped onto the open road, and opened fire on the remainder of the Viet Cong force of approximately 50 men. Having rejoined his men, he was leading them toward the battalion perimeter when the patrol encountered the rear elements of another Viet Cong company deployed to attack the battalion. With the advantage of surprise, he directed a charge against the Viet Cong, which carried the patrol through the insurgent force, completely disrupting its attack. Learning that a wounded patrol member was wandering in the area between the two opposing forces and although moments from safety and wounded in the leg himself, he and a sergeant went back to the battlefield to recover the stricken man. After they maneuvered through the withering fire of two Viet Cong machine guns, the sergeant grabbed the dazed soldier and dragged him back toward the friendly lines while 2nd Lt. Hibbs remained behind to provide covering fire. Armed only with a M-16 rifle and a pistol, but determined to destroy the enemy positions, he then charged the two machine-gun emplacements and was struck down. Before succumbing to his mortal wounds, he destroyed the starlight telescopic sight attached to his rifle to prevent its capture and use by the Viet Cong. 2nd Lt. Hibbs' profound concern for his fellow soldiers and his intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.

Greenwood Cemetery, Cedar Falls, IA