Robert John Hibbs was born on April 21, 1943 in Omaha, Nebraska. The Hibbs family then moved to Iowa, where Robert attended the University of Northern Iowa and was a memember of the University ROTC Program. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a 2nd Lt.

2nd Lt. Robert Hibbs was assigned to B Company 2/28 in Lai Khe, Vietnam, where a few months later went above and beyond the call of duty. The details are in the official text of the citation, below. Lt. Hibbs died on March 5, 1966, near Loc Ninh, in the Republic of Vietnam, duirng the battle of Lo Ke. Lt. Hibbs is buried at the Greenwood Cemetery in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The Third Brigade honored Lt. Hibbs by naming the Chapel at Lai Khe after him.

The Medal of Honor was presented Posthumously in a ceremony on February 24, 1967 at Ft. Meyers, Virginia. It was presented by Secretary of the Army Stanley R. Resor to the Hibbs Family.

On September 12, 2000, at 2:00 P.M., the University of Northern Iowa held a Memorial Service Honoring Lt. Hibbs. The service was held in the west gym. Speakers included Iowa Gov. Thomas Vilsack, UNI President Robert Koob and dignitaries from the U.S. Army. The Hibbs family also attended.

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 two mines in their path and, when the insurgents were within 20 feet of the patrol's position, he fired the 2 anti-personnel 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 the 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 two 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 friendly lines while 2d Lt. Hibbs remained behind to provide covering fire. Armed with only a 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 scope 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 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.

Websites Honoring Lt. Hibbs: