Robert L. Howard
Robert Lewis Howard (July 11, 1939 – December 23, 2009) was a highly-decorated United States Army soldier and Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War. He was wounded 14 times over 54 months of combat, was awarded the Medal of Honor, 8 Purple Hearts, 1 Distinguished Service Cross,[a] 1 Silver Star, and 4 Bronze Stars. He was nominated for the Medal of Honor three separate times. He did not receive either of the first two Medals of Honor he was nominated for because those actions were performed in countries where the U.S. was fighting covertly. The President could not award him the medal for fighting in Cambodia when we were not supposed to be there. However, he is the single most decorated serviceman in American history and retired from the military after 50 years of service as a full Colonel. He died of cancer, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on February 22, 2010.
Biography
Howard enlisted in the Army at Montgomery, Alabama and retired as Colonel, Army Special Forces.
As a staff sergeant of the highly classified Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG), Howard was recommended for the Medal of Honor on three separate occasions for three individual actions during thirteen months spanning 1967–1968. The first two nominations were downgraded to a Silver Star and the Distinguished Service Cross due to the covert nature of the operations in which Howard participated. As a Sergeant First Class of the same organization, he risked his life during a rescue mission in Cambodia on December 30, 1968, while second in command of a platoon-sized Hatchet Force that was searching for missing American soldier Robert Scherdin, and was finally awarded the Medal of Honor. He learned of the award over a two-way radio while under enemy fire, immediately after being wounded, resulting in one of his eight Purple Hearts.[2]
Howard was wounded 14 times during one 54-month period during the Vietnam War. He received two master's degrees during his government career which spanned almost 50 years. Howard retired as a Colonel in 1992.[3] His Army career spanned 1956 to 1992.[4]
According to NBC News, Howard may have been the most highly decorated American soldier of the modern era. His residence was in Texas and he spent much of his free time working with veterans until the time of his death. He also took periodic trips to Iraq to visit active duty troops.[3]
Howard died of pancreatic cancer at a hospice in Waco, Texas on December 23, 2009. He was survived by four children and five grandchildren.[4][5] His funeral was in Arlington National Cemetery on February 22, 2010. [6]
Legacy
In 2014, Howard was announced as the recipient of United States Special Operations Command's Bull Simons award for his "lifetime achievements in Special Operations".[7]
Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
ROBERT L. HOWARD
UNITED STATES ARMY
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Howard (then SFC .), distinguished himself while serving as platoon sergeant of an American-Vietnamese platoon which was on a mission to rescue a missing American soldier in enemy controlled territory in the Republic of Vietnam. The platoon had left its helicopter landing zone and was moving out on its mission when it was attacked by an estimated 2-company force. During the initial engagement, 1st Lt. Howard was wounded and his weapon destroyed by a grenade explosion. 1st Lt. Howard saw his platoon leader had been wounded seriously and was exposed to fire. Although unable to walk, and weaponless, 1st Lt. Howard unhesitatingly crawled through a hail of fire to retrieve his wounded leader. As 1st Lt. Howard was administering first aid and removing the officer's equipment, an enemy bullet struck 1 of the ammunition pouches on the lieutenant's belt, detonating several magazines of ammunition. 1st Lt. Howard momentarily sought cover and then realizing that he must rejoin the platoon, which had been disorganized by the enemy attack, he again began dragging the seriously wounded officer toward the platoon area. Through his outstanding example of indomitable courage and bravery, 1st Lt. Howard was able to rally the platoon into an organized defense force. With complete disregard for his safety, 1st Lt. Howard crawled from position to position, administering first aid to the wounded, giving encouragement to the defenders and directing their fire on the encircling enemy. For 31⁄2 hours 1st Lt. Howard's small force and supporting aircraft successfully repulsed enemy attacks and finally were in sufficient control to permit the landing of rescue helicopters. 1st Lt. Howard personally supervised the loading of his men and did not leave the bullet-swept landing zone until all were aboard safely. 1st Lt. Howard's gallantry in action, his complete devotion to the welfare of his men at the risk of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Awards and decorations
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See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War
- List of French Paratrooper Units
Notes
References
- ^ "Upgraded or Revoked Awards of The Distinguished Service Cross". Homeofheroes.com. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
- ^ Eberle, Lance Cpl. Ben (November 19, 2006). "Medal of Honor recipients make special visit". Retrieved 2010-02-24.
- ^ a b Williams, Brian, "Medal of Honor: Robert Howard 1939–2009", NBC News, December 23, 2009.
- ^ a b Associated Press, "Decorated Army colonel, MoH recipient dies", Military Times, December 24, 2009.
- ^ Col. Robert Lewis Howard, believed to be nation's most decorated soldier, dies at 70 Star-Telegram, Associated Press story. Retrieved on December 24, 2009.
- ^ Horst, Kaitlin, Arlington National Cemetery Public Affairs "Col. Robert L. Howard laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery". Retrieved on October 26, 2014.
- ^ Mike Bottoms (2014-05-27). "Medal of Honor recipient, Special Operations legend receives USSOCOM's 2014 Bull Simons Award". United States Special Operations Command Public Affairs. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
Further reading
- SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam, by John Plaster
- Secret Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines with the Elite Warriors of SOG, by John Plaster
External links
- "Robert L Howard Tribute Website". Retrieved October 5, 2010.
- "Presentation of the Medal of Honor". Retrieved October 5, 2010.
- 1939 births
- 2009 deaths
- Deaths from pancreatic cancer
- Cancer deaths in Texas
- People from Opelika, Alabama
- People from Waco, Texas
- American military personnel of the Vietnam War
- American colonels
- United States Army officers
- Members of the United States Army Special Forces
- Recipients of the Purple Heart medal
- Recipients of the Air Medal
- Recipients of the Bronze Star Medal
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- Recipients of the Silver Star
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
- United States Army Medal of Honor recipients
- Recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)
- Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal
- Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
- Vietnam War recipients of the Medal of Honor