[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 89 (Thursday, June 24, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7420-S7421]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          OREGON VETERAN HERO

  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, today I rise to honor a WWII veteran who 
has gone above and beyond the call of duty in his service to the United 
States and to the State of Oregon. Bob Maxwell was born in Boise, ID on 
October 26, 1920. Before joining the U.S. Army, Bob worked as a logger 
in Colorado. In the summer of 1942, he was shipped to Camp Roberts, CA 
for training.
  Bob boarded a British troop ship heading for the European theater and 
landed in Casablanca in February of 1943. There he was assigned to the 
battered 3rd Infantry Division. Together with the 3rd Rangers, his 
Division landed in Licata on the south-central coast of Sicily in July 
of 1943. Fighting their way inland, Bob Maxwell's division successfully 
captured the city of Agrigento after seven intense days of battle.
  Bob's dedication to the war effort was a valiant one. After landing 
near the town of Netuno, Italy on January 22, 1944, he was struck by 
shrapnel from a German artillery shell, severely injuring his leg. 
Maxwell returned to his duty repairing phone wires and working the 
switchboard after bandaging

[[Page S7421]]

his leg. He did not go to the hospital until the next morning when his 
platoon leader forced him to go. He was later awarded the Silver Star 
for his efforts.
  A few months later, stationed near Besancon, France, Maxwell and 
three other soldiers, armed only with .45 caliber automatic pistols, 
defended their battalion observation post against a nearly overwhelming 
attack by enemy infantrymen. Despite fire from automatic weapons and 
grenade launchers, the men aggressively fought off advancing enemy 
troops and, with his calmness, tenacity, and fortitude, Maxwell 
inspired his fellows to continue the struggle. When an enemy hand 
grenade was thrown in the midst of his squad, Maxwell unhesitatingly 
threw himself squarely upon it, using his blanket and his unprotected 
body to absorb the full force of the explosion.
  For this action, Maxwell was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's 
highest military award. In addition, while serving with the 3rd 
Battalion, 7th Infantry of the United States Army, he was awarded two 
Purple Hearts, two Silver Stars, and a Bronze Star. Maxwell was 
honorably discharged from military service at Ft. Lewis, Washington 
June 13, 1945.
  After moving to Oregon, Maxwell met his wife Beatrice--Bea--and they 
married on August 12, 1951. He and Bea are parents to four children, 
numerous grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. Bob spent 30 years 
further serving the public in the teaching profession.
  For his selfless service to others, and to the United States in times 
of war, I salute Bob Maxwell as an Oregon Veteran Hero.

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