Hibbs Memorial           

On 6 March 2000 ROTC cadets and cadre conducted a ceremony to honor 2nd Lt. Robert J. Hibbs who died in the Vietnam War. Who is Robert Hibbs and what does he have to do with ROTC? Well, to those of you who don't know who he is here's some information about him and why we honored him.

In 1964 Robert Hibbs, a Cedar Falls resident, graduated from UNI with a degree in history. After graduation he went through basic and infantry training at Ft. Benning, GA and then he went to Officer Candidate School. After being commissioned 2nd Lt. he was shipped off to fight in the Vietnam War in 1965. A month before going home he was leading a 5-man ambush. After successful attacks on two companies Hibbs and a sergeant went back for a wounded soldier. When the sergeant and the soldier were heading back to friendly lines Hibbs stayed to provide cover for them. While charging two machine gun emplacements he was shot and mortally wounded. LT Hibbs was only 23 years old. Before dying he was able to destroy the telescopic sight attached to his M-16 rifle so the Viet Cong couldn't use it. In 1967 the Medal of Honor was presented to his mother for his courageous actions. In the Waterloo Courier of Feb. 28th LTC DePuglio said the Army Officials were so impressed with Hibbs heroism they named the war's largest U.S military offensive, Operation Cedar Falls, in his honor. There also, is a weapons range at Ft. Benning named the Hibbs Range.

For 34 years there has been very little recognition here at UNI for Robert Hibbs courageous actions, but now that is changing. On 6 March we kicked off a fund raising event to help raise money for a memorial which cost $17,000. The memorial was completed that summer and is located in the field between the West Gym and the Campanile. A dedication ceremony for the memorial was held that fall. 

Hometown Hero's

2LT Brian Gienau

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