Bend’s Bob Maxwell, oldest Medal of Honor recipient, turns 97

Robert “Bob” Maxwell, America’s oldest living Medal of Honor recipient and Oregon’s only living recipient, celebrated his 97th birthday Thursday, but the party only came after a ceremony to make Oregon’s new Medal of Honor Memorial Highway.

Maxwell, who was seriously wounded in France when he threw himself on a grenade to save his comrades, was in the U.S. Army from 1942-45.

He lived a quiet life in Bend, after teaching auto mechanics at Lane Community College in Eugene for 20 years, until notoriety came the modest man’s way fairly late in life.

Maxwell was on hand last Friday when Gov. Kate Brown signed the Oregon Medal of Honor Highway bill last Friday in Bend. He also attended Thursday’s sign dedication on Highway 20 at the scenic viewpoint of the Three Sisters, between Bend and Sisters.

A couple of hours later, Maxwell was ready to blow out his candles, surrounded by family and friends at his home at the Aspen Ridge retirement community.

NewsChannel 21’s A.J. Kato was there for the celebration and will have more, including comments from the American hero, on NewsChannel 21 at Six.