“He shall not grow old...”

Robert L. Poxon

De La Salle Collegiate Class of 1965

January 3, 1947 - June 2, 1969 Medal of Honor Bronze Star Achievement Medal Purple Heart

They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. This is the story of a young man born in Detroit, who served his country, and died in Vietnam on June 2, 1969, from enemy fire.

Although a portion of the Veterans’ Wall in the main hallway at De La Salle Collegiate is devoted to Robert L. Poxon, and notes his Congressional Medal of Honor, there is more to know about this courageous hero.

The oldest of six children, Robert Leslie Poxon was raised on Detroit’s east side by Robert Poxon, a salesman, and Mary, a homemaker. Poxon and his siblings (Cheryl, David, Tom, Barbara, and Karen) lived on Kilbourne Street and attended St. Juliana Grade School.

Poxon started high school at St. Joseph’s, but transferred to De La Salle for his senior year when St. Joe’s closed in 1964.

His brother David says Bob was saddened by the closure.

When the Class of 1965 gathered for their 50th reunion, they paused to note Bob’s passing.

“I didn’t know Bob Poxon personally,” John Nicol remarked. “Those who did know him, described him as a quiet, kind, and considerate individual. He was a St. Joe’s man who was soft-spoken and unassuming.”

After high school, Poxon spent a year at the Servite seminary in St. Louis; Servite priests and nuns staffed the St. Juliana Parish. He came home in 1966, “undecided about the priesthood,” according to Father Jerome Hurley, then pastor at St.

Juliana’s, and decided to enlist in the military. His sister Karen Poxon Beckwith says that Poxon felt he should sign up, “so one less married man would have to go.”

Poxon initially had training at Fort Hood, in Texas. He later went to Officer Candidate School (OCS), at Fort Knox. Kentucky. Classmate David Strong noted, “He was an excellent soldier and fellow classmate. I am honored to have known him and salute him for his valor.”

Poxon’s tour of duty in Vietnam began October 10, 1968. He was scheduled to be there for a year.

The helicopter pilot who flew Bob and his troop in June 2, 1969 now lives in Texas.

Captain Bob Marshall said Poxon’s platoon had found a supplies and ammunition cache in the area about ten days before. The platoon of approximately seven exited the helicopter; Poxon’s last words to him were, “Don’t forget to come back and get us.”

As soon as his helicopter lifted, Poxon and his troop were under fire.

Poxon died, after bravely drawing enemy fire to himself and away from his men. His body was brought back to Detroit for his funeral. Bob Anderson, ‘78, who attended St. Juliana’s, remembers the day of Poxon’s funeral. “His sister Barbara was in my class and another sister Karen was a few years older. I’ll never forget the sad day the entire school assembled outside the school building to honor his memory and dedicate our flagstaff

Poxon, continued on following pages

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