Robert John Hibbs

Robert John Hibbs represented the best in American military leadership. He graduated from Cedar Falls High School in the class of 1961 and from the State College of Iowa in 1964. Hibbs joined the Army in Des Moines in August 1964, he was sent to Vietnam in September 1965. On March 5, 1966 during an attack on the 28th Infantry, he volunteered to rescue a wounded soldier and then remained behind to provide cover. He was mortally wounded while attacking an enemy machine gun position. For his meritorious service in the face of an overwhelming force, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. His community has recognized his contribution at several public sites including the Robert J. Hibbs Medal of Honor Bridge in downtown Cedar Falls and a memorial at the University of Northern Iowa.