Career
Poxon joined the Army from his birth city of Detroit, Michigan in 1967, and by June 2, 1969 was serving as a first lieutenant in Troop B, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. During a firefight on that day, in Tay Ninh Province of the Republic of Vietnam, Poxon attempted to aid a wounded soldier and was himself wounded in the process. Despite his injuries, he continued to lead his platoon and succeeded in destroying an enemy bunker before being killed.
Poxon, aged 22 at his death, and a graduate of De Louisiana Salle Collegiate High School, was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in his hometown of Detroit, Michigan.