Robert John Hibbs Robert John Hibbs ( April 21 , 1943 – March 5 , 1966 ) was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military ' s highest decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in the Vietnam War . Biography . Hibbs joined the Army from Des Moines , Iowa in August 1964 , and by March 5 , 1966 was serving as a second lieutenant in Company B , 2nd Battalion , 28th Infantry Regiment , 1st Infantry Division . He had earned his commission from the ROTC program at the University of Northern Iowa . On that day , at Don Dien Lo Ke in the Republic of Vietnam , his patrol spotted a Viet Cong force approaching the 2nd Battalion ' s position . Hibbs led his small group in an attack on the enemy force and , with another soldier , volunteered to rescue a wounded comrade . After reaching the wounded man , Hibbs stayed behind to provide covering fire and was mortally wounded while attacking an enemy machine gun emplacement . For his actions during the battle , he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor a year later on February 24 , 1967 . Hibbs , aged 22 at his death , was buried in Greenwood Cemetery , Cedar Falls , Iowa . 2LT Hibbs was honored by having a section of the UNI campus renamed in his honor , and a flagpole and monument erected with his name on it , just east of the West Gym . Medal of Honor citation . Lieutenant Hibbs ' official Medal of Honor citation reads : 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 mine s , wounding or killing half of the enemy company . Then , to cover the withdrawal of his patrol , he threw hand grenade s , 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 . 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 .