Bend’s Bob Maxwell, nation’s oldest Medal of Honor recipient, dies
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Sent to Europe, Maxwell took part in the Allied invasions of Sicily and the Italian mainland at Anzio. Maxwell was wounded in Italy, receiving a Silver Star and Purple Heart.
While recovering from his wounds at a hospital in Naples, Maxwell heard of the D-Day invasion of France on June 6, 1944.
The invasion went smoothly, and the 3rd Infantry Division moved north through France. On the night of Sept. 7, 1944, Maxwell’s unit was in Besancon, France. Their position was attacked in the dark by German soldiers, who lobbed a “potato-masher” stick grenade into their midst.
With seconds to act, Maxwell grabbed a blanket and fell on the grenade, which exploded under his body.
Though severely wounded, the blanket took enough of the blast to save his life. His action was credited with saving the lives of four American soldiers, including a battalion commander.
For his action, Maxwell received the Medal of Honor. Maxwell eventually received two Silver Stars, two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, the French Croix de Guerre and the French Legion d’honneur.
“He was a very humble, quiet person,” said Dick Tobiason of Bend, a close friend. “He smiled whenever he talked about veterans, the flag, country, and patriotism. He loved being an American.”
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Sent to Europe, Maxwell took part in the Allied invasions of Sicily and the Italian mainland at Anzio. Maxwell was wounded in Italy, receiving a Silver Star and Purple Heart.
While recovering from his wounds at a hospital in Naples, Maxwell heard of the D-Day invasion of France on June 6, 1944.
The invasion went smoothly, and the 3rd Infantry Division moved north through France. On the night of Sept. 7, 1944, Maxwell’s unit was in Besancon, France. Their position was attacked in the dark by German soldiers, who lobbed a “potato-masher” stick grenade into their midst.
With seconds to act, Maxwell grabbed a blanket and fell on the grenade, which exploded under his body.
Though severely wounded, the blanket took enough of the blast to save his life. His action was credited with saving the lives of four American soldiers, including a battalion commander.
For his action, Maxwell received the Medal of Honor. Maxwell eventually received two Silver Stars, two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, the French Croix de Guerre and the French Legion d’honneur.
“He was a very humble, quiet person,” said Dick Tobiason of Bend, a close friend. “He smiled whenever he talked about veterans, the flag, country, and patriotism. He loved being an American.”
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