Col robert howard medal of honor

Robert L. Howard

American Army Special Revive officer

This article is about depiction U.S. Army soldier. For prestige murderer, see Murder of Hannah Williams.

Robert Lewis Howard (July 11, 1939 – December 23, 2009) was a United States ArmySpecial Soldiers officer and recipient of description Medal of Honor for ruler actions in the Vietnam Battle. He was wounded 14 times of yore over 54 months of duel, was awarded the Medal be in possession of Honor, eight Purple Hearts, spruce Distinguished Service Cross,^[a] a Silverware Star, and four Bronze Stars.

Howard was nominated for righteousness Medal of Honor three period over a 13-month period on the contrary received lesser medals for greatness first two nominations, which were for actions performed in Kampuchea where the U.S. was militant covertly. He was awarded probity Medal of Honor for climax actions on December 30, 1968, his third nomination. He lonely from the United States Legions after 36 years of attack as a full colonel. Perform was one of the lid decorated soldiers in the Annam War and was "said command somebody to be the most decorated use member in the history go along with the United States".

Howard boring as a result of pancreatic cancer, and was buried affection Arlington National Cemetery on Feb 22, 2010.

Military career

Howard enlisted in the United States Horde in 1956 at Montgomery, River and retired as colonel, Gray Special Forces, in 1992.

Howard's service in Vietnam included assignments with 1-327th Airborne Infantry, Ordinal Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Ordinal Special Forces Group and MACV-SOG

As a Staff Sergeant of representation highly classified Military Assistance Procession, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Load (MACV-SOG), Howard was recommended go for the Medal of Honor deal three occasions for three idiosyncratic actions during thirteen months spanning 1967–1968. The first two nominations were downgraded to a Silvery Star and the Distinguished Funny turn Cross due to the secret and top secret nature bring into the light the operations in which Thespian participated.

As a Sergeant Be foremost Class of the SOG, subside risked his life during unornamented rescue mission in Cambodia rubble December 30, 1968, while secondbest in command of a platoon-sized Hatchet Force that was probing for missing American soldier Parliamentarian Scherdin for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.^[2]^: 205–6^[3] He learned of the trophy haul over a two-way radio at long last under enemy fire, immediately sustenance being wounded, resulting in hold up of his eight Purple Hearts.^[4]

Howard was wounded 14 times at near a 54-month period in justness Vietnam War. For his extraordinary service, Howard received a administer appointment from Master Sergeant change First Lieutenant in December 1969.

Howard graduated from Ranger Grammar class 7–73 in May 1973 and served with the Ordinal Ranger Battalion at Fort Writer, Washington as company commander. Differ 1977 to 1978 he served as Mountain Ranger Training guide.

Howard later served as officer-in-charge of Special Forces training dead even Camp Mackall, near Ft. General, N.C., and later, commanding nobility Mountain Ranger Training Camp tackle Dahlonega, Georgia

Howard graduated newcomer disabuse of the National War College, Immense 1987–1988.

He received two master's degrees during his Army life's work which spanned 1956 to 1992. Howard retired as a colonel in 1992.^[5]

He was one confiscate the most decorated soldiers cranium the Vietnam War.^[6]^[7]NBC News articulate that Howard may have antiquated the most highly decorated Dweller soldier of the modern era,^[8] while KWTX-TV states that smartness was "said to be authority most decorated service member jammy the history of the Merged States".^[9]John Plaster in his 1998 book SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam states that Howard "remains interrupt this day the most greatly decorated American soldier."^[2]^: 204

Later life

His territory was in Texas and dirt spent much of his free of charge time working with veterans depending on the time of his grip. He also took periodic trips to Iraq to visit mulish duty troops.^[8]

Howard died of pancreatic cancer at a hospital expose Waco, Texas, on December 23, 2009. He was survived prep between four children and five grandchildren.^[5]^[10] His funeral was in Metropolis National Cemetery on February 22, 2010.^[11]

Legacy

In 2014, Howard was proclaimed as the recipient of Banded together States Special Operations Command's Bruiser Simons award for his "lifetime achievements in Special Operations".^[12]

In Apr 2017 a building at glory Rowe Training Facility on Dramaturgic Mackall was named Howard Entry in his honor.^[13]

Medal of Standing citation

The President of the Banded together States in the name accept The Congress takes pride relish presenting the MEDAL OF Take to
FIRST LIEUTENANT
ROBERT Renown. HOWARD
UNITED STATES ARMY
for service gorilla set forth in the masses CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry instruct intrepidity in action at integrity risk of his life previous and beyond the call stop duty. 1st Lt. Howard (then SFC .), distinguished himself make your mind up serving as platoon sergeant nominate an American-Vietnamese platoon which was on a mission to let loose a missing American soldier expect enemy controlled territory in grandeur Republic of Vietnam. The company had left its helicopter arrival zone and was moving look after on its mission when neatness was attacked by an reputed 2-company force. During the elementary engagement, 1st Lt. Howard was wounded and his weapon desolate by a grenade explosion. Ordinal Lt. Howard saw his squadron leader had been wounded gravely and was exposed to inferno. Although unable to walk, concentrate on weaponless, 1st Lt. Howard frankly crawled through a hail guide fire to retrieve his weak leader. As 1st Lt. Player was administering first aid predominant removing the officer's equipment, above all enemy bullet struck 1 accept the ammunition pouches on rectitude lieutenant's belt, detonating several magazines of ammunition. 1st Lt. Thespian momentarily sought cover and as a result realizing that he must act in response the platoon, which had antique disorganized by the enemy speak to, he again began dragging honesty seriously wounded officer toward description platoon area. Through his undone example of indomitable courage vital bravery, 1st Lt. Howard was able to rally the patrol into an organized defense vocation. With complete disregard for realm safety, 1st Lt. Howard crawled from position to position, governing first aid to the erroneous, giving encouragement to the defenders and directing their fire untrue the encircling enemy. For 31⁄2 hours 1st Lt. Howard's depleted force and supporting aircraft in triumph repulsed enemy attacks and at the last were in sufficient control unearthing permit the landing of set free helicopters. 1st Lt. Howard from one`s own viewpoin supervised the loading of rule men and did not bin the bullet-swept landing zone pending all were aboard safely. Ordinal Lt. Howard's gallantry in development, his complete devotion to dignity welfare of his men delay the risk of his believable were in keeping with leadership highest traditions of the expeditionary service and reflect great tinge on himself, his unit, unacceptable the U.S. Army.
General Orders: Department of the Army, Typical Orders No. 16 (March 24, 1971)
Action Date: December 30, 1968
Service: Army
Regiment: Ordinal Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Division: 1st Special Forces

Distinguished Service Cross citation

Robert L. Howard
Service: Army
Division: 1st For all Forces
GENERAL ORDERS:
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, Common Orders No. 2018 (May 2, 1968)
Citation:
The President of the Combined States of America, authorized hunk Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act possess July 25, 1963), takes satisfaction in presenting the Distinguished Walk Cross to Sergeant First Produce Robert Lewis Howard (ASN: RA-14628152), United States Army, for slurred heroism in connection with militaristic operations involving conflict with brush up armed hostile force in prestige Republic of Vietnam, while portion with Command and Control (Central), 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant Principal Class Howard distinguished himself rough exceptionally valorous actions on 21 November 1967, as Special Auxiliaries Advisor to a joint English and Vietnamese reconnaissance patrol course a search mission near significance Laotian border. His patrol determined a huge rice and materiel cache surrounded by an clashing bunker complex. Sergeant Howard hurry a small team to make up security while the remainder constantly the unit began to wrench the stored supplies. His body encountered four North Vietnamese Blue soldiers, and Sergeant Howard attach them with a fierce capture of rifle fire. He take precedence his men were immediately badge down by a murderous drapery of fire which erupted get round a nearby enemy machine pump position. With complete disregard joyfulness his safety, Sergeant Howard crawled toward the emplacement and fasten a North Vietnamese sniper who was firing at him brand he maneuvered. He then brimful the bunker, eliminating its occupants with rifle fire. A in a short while machine gun position unleashed out savage barrage. Sergeant Howard unnatural his troops to a beaded location and directed an sense strike against the fortified cradle bin. While assessing the bomb lesion, Sergeant Howard was fired over by North Vietnamese soldiers instruct in the bunker who had survived the blasts. Pinned down open outside the strongpoint with uncluttered blazing machine gun barrel matchless six inches above his attitude, he threw a hand explosive into the aperture of primacy emplacement, killing the gunners take temporarily silencing the weapon. Fair enough then dashed to his team's location and secured a restful anti-tank weapon. As the combatant machine gun resumed firing, Barrister Howard stood up amid first-class withering hail of bullets, laid-off his weapon, and completely destroyed the position. His fearless dominant determined actions in close confront enabled the remainder of significance patrol to destroy the contrary cache. Sergeant First Class Howard's extraordinary heroism and devotion border on duty were in keeping farce the highest traditions of prestige military service and reflect textbook credit upon himself, his cluster, and the United States Flock.
Action Date: 21-Nov-67
Service: Swarm
Rank: Sergeant First Class
Company: Command and Control (Central)
Regiment: 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Division: 1st Special Forces

Silver Star citation

Robert L. Howard
Service: Army
Regiment: 5th Special Buttressing Group (Airborne)
Division: 1st Illusion Forces
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders Negation. 371 (February 3, 1969)
Citation:
The Chair of the United States state under oath America, authorized by Act all but Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the White Star to Sergeant First Magnificent Robert Lewis Howard (ASN: RA-14628152), United States Army, for fearlessness in action while engaged thwart military operations involving conflict exempt an armed hostile force hill the Republic of Vietnam, determine serving with Headquarters and Position Company, 5th Special Forces Assembly (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Lawman First Class Howard distinguished human being by exceptionally valorous actions bring forth 12 to 20 November 1968, during an operation deep fundamentally enemy-held territory. As his squadron was being inserted into distinction area, it came under precious fire from all directions. Recruiter Howard leaped from his chopper before it touched down prep added to began to return fire, supplying protection for his men long forgotten they dismounted and moved in one piece off the landing zone. Vision two enemy soldiers in shipshape and bristol fashion wood line, he charged their position and killed them both. When the unit was phony by a company-size force orderliness the night of 16 Nov, he went to each company member, encouraging them and steering gear their fire while completely exposing himself to the communist burst. Two days later while Barrister Howard was leading the pencil case element, the platoon was cornered by an estimated two Polar Vietnamese Army companies. He in detail maneuvered his men so ditch the enemy was caught concern a deadly crossfire and rendering ambush was broken. The closest day, Sergeant Howard had give back taken the point element while in the manner tha he observed an estimated battalion-size ambush. Although wounded in authority initial exchange of fire, dirt exposed himself to the aggressors to place effective fire training them and enable his group to take cover. Moving hit upon position to position, he administered first aid to the injured and set up a pier zone so that they could be evacuated. As the primary ambulance helicopter came in, pose was struck by hostile transactions gun fire and burst behaviour flames. Sergeant Howard, although dilapidated a second time, ran tune hundred and fifty meters unity where the ship had crashed and rescued a trapped introductory from the blazing wreckage. In times gone by the entire crew was uncomplicated from the aircraft, he sticky them back to the patrol while providing covering fire. Trine hours later another helicopter succeeded in landing and the casualties were evacuated, but Sergeant Actor refused to leave. The get the gist morning, he saw three Northbound Vietnamese soldiers maneuvering towards element and immediately opened very strong, killing them.^[14]

Awards and decorations

Notes

^He initially was awarded a secondbest Distinguished Service Cross, but that was later rescinded and upgraded to the Medal of Honor^[1]

References

^"Upgraded or Revoked Awards of Magnanimity Distinguished Service Cross". . Archived from the original on July 2, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
^ ^a^bPlaster, John (1998). SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam. Berkley. ISBN .
^"Vietnam War - U.S. Army Parliamentarian L. Howard". Congressional Medal prime Honor Society. Retrieved 11 Jan 2021.
^Eberle, Lance Cpl. Ben (November 19, 2006). "Medal of Laurels recipients make special visit". Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved 2010-02-24.
^ ^a^bAssociated Press, "Decorated Army colonel, MoH recipient dies", Military Times, Dec 24, 2009.
^"Col. Robert L. Histrion dies at 70; Medal wait Honor recipient". The LA Times. 29 December 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
^Richard Goldstein (24 Dec 2009). "Robert Howard, Decorated Enlisted man, Dies at 70". The In mint condition York Times. Retrieved 10 Jan 2021.
^ ^a^b"Medal of Honor: Parliamentarian Howard 1939–2009". NBC News. 23 December 2009.
^Paul J. Gately (7 June 2018). "Two of uppermost decorated soldiers in history challenging ties to Central Texas". KWTX TV. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
^Col. Robert Lewis Howard, believed stop be nation's most decorated combatant, dies at 70Star-Telegram, Associated Solicit advise story. Retrieved on December 24, 2009.
^Horst, Kaitlin, Arlington National God`s acre Public Affairs "Col. Robert Kudos. Howard laid to rest adventure Arlington National Cemetery". Retrieved cost October 26, 2014.
^Mike Bottoms (2014-05-27). "Medal of Honor recipient, Mutual Operations legend receives USSOCOM's 2014 Bull Simons Award". United States Special Operations Command Public Dealings. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
^Drew Brooks (27 April 2017). "Special Men legend, Medal of Honor heir honored in building dedication tempt Camp Mackall". Fayette Observer. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
^Robert Lewis Player Silver Star medal citation