The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*HIBBS, ROBERT JOHN
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant,
U.S. Army, Company B, 2d Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Place and
date: Don Dien Lo Ke, Republic of Vietnam, 5 March 1966. Entered service at:
Des Moines, lowa. Born: 21 April 1943, Omaha, Nebr. G.O. No.: 8, 24
February 1967.
Citations:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of
duty. 2d Lt. Hibbs was in command of a 15-man ambush patrol of the 2d Battalion, when his
unit observed a company of Viet Cong advancing along the road toward the 2d Battalion's
position. Informing his command post by radio of the impending attack, he prepared his men
for the oncoming Viet Cong, emplaced 2 mines in their path and, when the insurgents were
within 20 feet of the patrol's position, he fired the 2 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 2 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 2 Viet Cong machineguns, the sergeant
grabbed the dazed soldier and dragged him back toward the friendly lines while 2d Lt.
Hibbs remained behind to provide covering fire. Armed with only an M-16 rifle and a
pistol, but determined to destroy the enemy positions, he then charged the 2 machinegun
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. 2d Lt. Hibb's 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. |
