Medal of Honor: Robert John Hibbs – U.S. Army – Vietnam War

Name: Robert John Hibbs
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company B, 2d Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division
Place: Don Dien Lo Ke, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Des Moines, Iowa
Born: 21 April 1943, Omaha, Nebraska
G.O. No.: 8, 24 February 1967

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Summary of Action

Second Lieutenant Robert John Hibbs commanded a 15-man ambush patrol operating near Don Dien Lo Ke when his men spotted an entire Viet Cong company moving along the road toward the battalion’s position.

He immediately radioed a warning.

Then he prepared to fight.

Placing two antipersonnel mines directly in the enemy’s path, Hibbs waited until the Viet Cong were within twenty feet. He detonated the mines, instantly killing or wounding roughly half of the advancing company.

To allow his small patrol to withdraw, Hibbs stepped onto the open road and unleashed grenades and rifle fire against the surviving enemy soldiers — holding off nearly fifty attackers.

Leading his men back toward the battalion perimeter, the patrol suddenly encountered the rear elements of another Viet Cong company preparing to attack the battalion.

Without hesitation, Hibbs ordered a charge.

The patrol smashed directly through the surprised enemy formation, completely disrupting the attack.

But the fight was not over.

Learning that one of his wounded soldiers was wandering between the two enemy forces, Hibbs — already wounded in the leg — turned back toward the battlefield with a sergeant.

Under fire from two Viet Cong machine guns, they fought their way to the injured man. The sergeant dragged the dazed soldier toward friendly lines while Hibbs remained behind to cover their escape.

Armed with only his M-16 rifle and pistol, he then charged the enemy machine-gun positions alone.

He was mortally wounded in the attack.

Before dying, he deliberately destroyed the starlight telescopic sight attached to his rifle so it could not be captured and used by the enemy.

His courage saved his men, disrupted two enemy attacks, and stands as a profound example of leadership and sacrifice in combat.

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Medal of Honor Citation

HIBBS, ROBERT JOHN

Place and date: Don Dien Lo Ke, Republic of Vietnam, 5 March 1966.

Born: 21 April 1943, Omaha, Nebr.

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 machine guns, 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 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. 2d 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.