Medal of Honor Recipiant at OHA Convention

Old Soldier · 05-22-2006, 08:16 AM

Had the honor of pining an OHA life membership pin on a Medal of Honor repipiant at the convention. Robert D. Maxwell the last living MOH recipient from WWII in Oregon. What a great guy to talk to and associate with. Mr Maxwell lives in the Bend area.
He is a veteran of the campaigns in North Africa, Sicily, Salerna, Caso Blanca, the landing in Anzio and Southern France. In addition to the MOH for his heroisn in these operations he was awarded two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.

Quote form the citation for the MOH:
"When an enemy hand grenade was thrown in the midst of his squad, Technician 5th Grade Maxwell unhesitating hurled himself squarely upon it, using his blanket and his unprotected body to absorb the full force of the explosion."

He was accompanied to the Convention by his Grandson. A hunter. Also in attendance was Lt Pete Woods an Oregon National Guardsman and Purple Hart recipient and vetran of Iraq. Another great soldier.

For me meeting and having the opportunity of telling war stories with Mr. Maxwell was the highlight of the OHA Convention. Did not win a thing in all the raffles.

Coastalfisherman · 05-22-2006, 10:28 AM

The standing ovation that both soldiers received was enough to nearly bring tears to my eyes. We can not do enough to thank the men and women who are fighting and who have fought for our freedoms that we enjoy on a daily basis.

northriver1 · 05-22-2006, 10:30 AM

Ni! · 05-22-2006, 10:36 AM

Great story. Now I wish I would have gone. Thanks for the report.

Ni!

duckdog310 · 05-22-2006, 12:27 PM

God Bless that warrior and his kin.

sliverpicker · 05-22-2006, 01:00 PM

Thanks for the report Old Soldier, much appreciated!

I believe I saw a story about Mr Maxwell on the Military Channel this winter. They were doing a series about M.O.H. recipients.

Thank you Mr Maxwell and Mr Woods!

Flying Roast Beef · 05-22-2006, 08:48 PM

I would love to talk to this man. I never served. I went to work and school instead. I do have a family friend that has been part of our family since way before I was even thought of that served on a carrier in the South Pacific in WWII. His stories are horrific to say the least. His carrier was hit by enemy fire six times. He has the ship's log (don't ask me how because I don't know) and reading it is like living a nightmare. There are reports in it about sailors going through aircraft props and reports about kamikaze attacks. Scary stuff. Please respect these guys. I've helped drag three deer for this particular fellow in my lifetime and shot countless ducks, pheasant, quail, and dove with him. I remember one time in central California we were hunting dove on private property when one of the guys in the group sent my brother and I out to guard "point" on the set up. Al, our family friend put his gun away. The other fellow asked him what he was doing that for and Al replied, "You'll never fire a shot with those two out in front, grab a beer and take a seat to watch the show". My brother and I (keep in mind we were both just kids maybe 12 and 16 respectively). ended up shooting limits for the whole party that evening and only let one through that my dad happened to drop. Al was proud as hell of both of us. I still have the .410 that he gave me when I turned ten.

bullslayer · 05-23-2006, 06:34 PM

Wow, that would've been a huge honor to meet the MOH recepient. Thank God we have these brave people to defend our country. I'm so in awe of these men. I could only hope my children never have to fight in a war,but if they did, I hope they'd be as brave. I've only read about our warriors experiences and I can't imagine what they went through. Thanks, Kris.

rwgoody5 · 05-23-2006, 07:17 PM

How many ways are there to say thank you?

SLEDDER · 05-24-2006, 04:15 PM

Not many men would throw themselves onto a grenade. He deserves his rewards, unlike some politicians. He deserves our gratitude in so many ways.

buckhunter · 05-25-2006, 07:20 PM

I had the honor of meeting a MOH recipiant when I was in the Navy in 1989. What those men have to go thru to get that award,,,,, we should

BOW

to them. We have what we have because of our military men and women of the past, present and future. If you don't believe that, well,,,,I'll stop. My

BH