Overview

Robert Dale Maxwell (October 26, 1920 – May 11, 2019) was an American soldier and recipient of the Medal of Honor, the United States military's highest decoration. Born in Boise, Idaho, Maxwell served in the United States Army during World War II. He was recognized for extraordinary bravery during combat and later became widely respected for his humility and long life of service to veteran causes.

Early life

Maxwell grew up in Idaho and attended Bend Senior High School. His early years in the interwar period were typical of many young Americans who later joined the armed forces in World War II. Although he left formal schooling to serve, he maintained ties to his hometown and returned there after the war.

Military service and Medal of Honor

During World War II Maxwell distinguished himself in combat and was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions demonstrating conspicuous gallantry and risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. The medal recognizes a soldier's exceptional courage under fire and is presented only in the most extraordinary circumstances. Maxwell's award placed him among a small and honored group of American servicemembers.

Later life and community ties

After the war Maxwell lived in Oregon, settling in Bend where he remained active in veterans' circles. In 2011, at age 90, he received his high school diploma from Bend Senior High — a symbolic event often celebrated for honoring veterans who left school early to serve. Reports indicate he experienced a minor stroke in 2012 but recovered with only limited effects on his right hand.

Legacy and notable facts

Following the death of fellow recipient Nicholas Oresko in October 2013, Maxwell became the oldest living recipient of the Medal of Honor until his own death in 2019. He was also noted as the only living Medal of Honor recipient residing in Bend, Oregon at the time. Maxwell died on May 11, 2019, at age 98, and is remembered for both his battlefield courage and his quiet dedication to community and veterans' causes.

Importance and remembrance

  • Medal of Honor recipients like Maxwell serve as enduring symbols of individual valor in U.S. military history.
  • His late receipt of a high school diploma highlights the sacrifices made by wartime generations and public efforts to honor them.
  • Local commemorations and veteran organizations in Idaho and Oregon preserve the memory of his service and the broader history of World War II veterans.

For further reading about Maxwell's military unit, Medal of Honor citations, and the community events that commemorated his life, consult archival materials and veteran organization resources. See also regional histories of Idaho and Oregon that place individual stories like Maxwell's in broader historical context.