Veterans Way Honorees

U.S. Army Second Lieutenant Robert John Hibbs (April 21, 1943 – March 5, 1966)  was posthumously presented the Medal of Honor and Purple Heart for military valor during the Vietnam War. Hibbs joined the Army from Des Moines, Iowa in August 1964, and by March 5, 1966 was serving as a second lieutenant in Company B, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. He had earned his commission thru the US Army Officer Candidate School OCS, Fort Benning, Georgia.  On 5 March 1966 during Operation Cocoa Beach, at Don Dien Lo Ke in the Republic of Vietnam, his patrol spotted a Viet Cong force approaching the 2nd Battalion’s position. Hibbs led his small group in an attack on the enemy force and, with another soldier, volunteered to rescue a wounded comrade. After reaching the wounded man, Hibbs stayed behind to provide covering fire and was mortally wounded while attacking an enemy machine gun emplacement. For his actions during the battle, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor a year later on February 24, 1967. Hibbs, aged 22 at his death, was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Cedar Falls, Iowa. John Hibbs was a graduate from the University of Northern Iowa. 2LT Hibbs was honored by having a section of the UNI campus renamed in his honor, and a flagpole and monument erected with his name on it, just east of the West Gym.

CW4 Robert D. Dodson served in the United States Army for 30 years.

Larry Dunham entered service with the United States Navy on 1/11/1970. He served on the USS Fresno as a Bupersman. He was honorably discharged on 9/21/1972. Larry was born to Hursald and Esther Gliedt Dunham in 1950. He was an only child. He lived and farmed in Waterloo. He was also employed as a carpenter and locksmith at the University of Northern Iowa and raised hogs. He was a charter member of the Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, member of numerous bowling leagues and even bowled a 300 game in 2010! He went on the Honor Flight, enjoyed the Green Bay Packers, Iowa Hawkeyes and fishing with friends and family. He passed in 2023.

Kevin Dill is an Waterloo East High Graduate.  He served in the military from 1983 to 1994 beginning with the United States Army and later the United States Marines Corps. During his service, he served on embassy guard duty around the world. During the first Gulf War he served as an Arabic linguist translator. He also served on security detail for George W. and Laura Bush. Kevin served as the Black Hawk County Veterans Affairs Director.

Herbert R. Miehe was born in 1927 in Waterloo, IA. He served in the United States Marine Corps for eight years, where he fought in the Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War and received his Purple Heart and Korean Medal of Honor.

Herbert G. Kane of Waterloo served in the United States Navy aboard a destroyer (DD561-US Prichett) and was involved in several battles during WWII. A fleet of nine ships left to serve our country and his, the Prichett, was only one of three of the original nine to return back to the United States. He witnessed the US flag being raised over Iwo Jima.

Grocee “Mighty Gro” Hart served in the United States Army during the Vietnam conflict. He was born on November 23, 1937, in Starkville, MS. Mighty Gro graduated from high school in Starkville and attended Mississippi State University for a while. He married Lillie Mae Harrington on April 8, 1968, at Antioch Baptist Church in Waterloo. Mighty Gro worked as a tool grinder for John Deere where he retired July 1, 1997. Mighty Gro was a member of the Swingers Golf Club in Waterloo that created opportunities for minority golfers and taught young golfers the game. He was instrumental in forming the Zebra Golf Tournament, an integrated golf tournament that was held at various public courses in the city and Mighty Gro’s Shootout. He was also an avid bowler and worked on the campaigns of his son Waterloo Mayor Quentin Hart.

Glen joined the United States Army at age 17 years old. Served during the Korean War. His date of passing was July 12, 1950. Glen lost his life due to stepping on a land mine during his year of service. His best friend Donald Pettit watched as this tragic event happened which left him devastated. Glen was marked as Missing in Action for over 50 years. It was not until 2000 that he was recognized for his service after they were able to prove it was him. Glen was one of the first Iowans to be Killed in Action during the Korean War.