Robert D. Maxwell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Dale Maxwell
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Maxwell in 2006
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| Born | October 26, 1920 Boise, Idaho, United States |
| Died | May 11, 2019 (aged 98) Bend, Oregon, United States |
| Buried |
Terrebonne Pioneer Cemetery, Terrebonne, Oregon
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| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1941–1945 |
| Rank | Technician Fifth Grade |
| Unit | Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Silver Star (2) Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart (2) |
Robert Dale Maxwell (born October 26, 1920 – died May 11, 2019) was a brave soldier in the United States Army. He received the highest award for courage in the U.S. military, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions in France during World War II.
Contents
Early Life and Growing Up
Robert Maxwell was born in Boise, Idaho, on October 26, 1920. He grew up on his grandparents' farm in Quinter, Kansas. He left school in seventh grade to help his family on the farm. During the Great Depression, a time when many people had little money, his family moved to Oregon to pick fruit. They ran out of money on their way back to Kansas and decided to settle in Colorado.
Military Service in World War II
Robert Maxwell joined the United States Army in June 1941 from Larimer County, Colorado. He was a Quaker, a group of people who believe in peace. The army offered him a chance to be a "conscientious objector," meaning he wouldn't have to fight. But he chose to serve as a soldier. He trained in California and Maryland.
Joining the Fight Overseas
In February 1942, Maxwell went overseas to North Africa. He was part of the 3rd Infantry Division. His job was a "wire man," which meant he carried heavy cables and set up phone lines for his unit's command post. This helped soldiers communicate during battles. At first, he carried a rifle, but later, he was given a pistol because his main job was communication, not direct combat.
Battles in Italy and France
Maxwell fought in the North African Campaign. Then, he took part in the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943. After that, his unit landed in Italy and fought their way north.
During the Battle of Anzio in January 1944, Private First Class Maxwell showed great courage. He repaired damaged phone lines for over three hours while under heavy enemy fire. This kept his unit connected. He was wounded in the leg that day and received the Silver Star medal for his bravery. He spent a few months recovering in a hospital.
Maxwell rejoined his unit for the invasion of southern France in August 1944. On September 7, near Besançon, France, he performed an incredibly brave act. While under enemy fire, he saw a hand grenade land near other soldiers. To protect them, he threw himself on the grenade, using his own body to absorb the blast. He survived his injuries from the grenade. For this amazing act, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on April 6, 1945. This medal is the highest award for bravery a soldier can receive.
Life After the War
After World War II, Robert Maxwell went to a special school in Eugene, Oregon, to become an auto mechanic. He then worked at a car dealership. In 1951, he married Beatrice.
He later became a teacher, first teaching auto mechanics at Bend High School in Bend, Oregon. He also helped start an auto mechanics program at Central Oregon Community College. From 1966 to 1986, he taught at Lane Community College. In 1970, he was recognized as one of 5,000 outstanding educators.
In 2011, at 90 years old, he finally received his high school diploma from Bend Senior High School. He passed away in Bend, Oregon, on May 11, 2019, at the age of 98. At that time, he was the only Medal of Honor recipient living in Oregon.
Military Awards and Decorations
Robert Maxwell received many awards for his service and bravery:
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| Combat Infantry Badge | ||||||||||||
| Medal of Honor | ||||||||||||
| Silver Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster | Bronze Star Medal | Purple Heart with Oak leaf Cluster | ||||||||||
| Army Good Conduct Medal | American Defense Service Medal | American Campaign Medal | ||||||||||
| European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one silver and two 3/16" bronze stars |
World War II Victory Medal | French Legion of Honor (Chevalier-Knight) | ||||||||||
Honors and Namings
Robert Maxwell was honored in several ways:
- In 2004, a bridge over the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon, was named the Robert D. Maxwell Veterans Memorial Bridge. This honored him and other veterans.
- In 2012, Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon, named its student veterans center after him.
- In 2013, his photo was featured on a U.S. Postal Service stamp packet honoring World War II Medal of Honor recipients.
See also
