First Lieutenant Robert L. Poxon was commissioned as an Armor Officer upon graduation from Armor Officer Candidate School, Fort Knox, Kentucky, Class 28-67, 13 October 1967. His first duty assignment was as a Basic Combat Training Officer in Company B, Third Battalion, Third Brigade at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. | His subsequent duty assignments include: B Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam on 10 October 1968. | His military education consists of the Armor Officer Candidate School at Fort Knox and Jungle Warfare Training at Fort Sherman, Panama Canal Zone, prior to his deployment to the Republic of Vietnam. | His military awards include the Medal of Honor, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam National Order Medal 5th Class, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (Individual), Vietnam Campaign Medal, The Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (Unit Citation) and the Combat Infantryman Badge. | MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION | For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. First Lieutenant Poxon, Armor, Troop B, distinguished himself while serving as a platoon leader on a reconnaissance mission. Landing by helicopter in an area suspected of being occupied by the enemy, the platoon came under intense fire from enemy soldiers in concealed positions and fortifications around the landing zone. A soldier fell, hit by the first burst of fire. First Lieutenant Poxon dashed to his aid, drawing the majority of the enemy fire as he crossed 20 meters of open ground. The fallen soldier was beyond help and First Lieutenant Poxon was seriously and painfully wounded. First Lieutenant Poxon, with indomitable courage, refused medical aid and evacuation and turned his attention to seizing the initiative from the enemy. With sure instinct he marked a central enemy bunker as the key to success. Quickly instructing his men to concentrate their fire on the bunker, and in spite of his wound, First Lieutenant Poxon crawled toward the bunker, readied a hand grenade and charged. He was hit again but continued his assault. After succeeding in silencing the enemy guns in the bunker he was struck once again by enemy fire and fell, mortally wounded. First Lieutenant Poxon's comrades followed their leader, pressed the attack and drove the enemy from their positions. First Lieutenant Poxon's gallantry, indomitable will, and courage are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the U.S. Army.