Word Celebrity Blog

Col. Robert L. Howard




















Retired Army Col. Robert L. Howard, 70, who died on December 23, 2009, in Waco, Texas, was a Medal of Honor winner who at the time of his death was believed to be the most-decorated living American soldier.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry issued a statement late Wednesday afternoon in which he said Howard “was the bravest soldier I ever met.”

“His unshakeable commitment to freedom, displayed in countless episodes of battlefield gallantry, lives on in the actions of our military men and women who continue to serve in hostile conditions overseas,” Gov. Perry said.


























Robert L. Howard, born July 11, 1939, grew up in Opelika, Alabama. He was seventeen years old when he joined the Army in 1956. His father and four uncles had been paratroopers in World War II, and he followed in their footsteps, joining the 101st Airborne. In 1965, during the first of his five tours of duty in Vietnam, he was wounded when a ricocheting bullet hit him in the face. While recuperating in a field hospital, he met a patient who was in the Special Forces. When the man's commanding officer visited, he sized Howard up, then talked him into transferring to the Special Forces.

In 1966, after six months of training in the States, Howard returned to Vietnam as part of the 5th Special Forces Group. By late 1968, he had already been recommended for the Medal of Honor on two separate occasions when, on the afternoon of December 28, his unit was ordered to rescue a wounded Green Beret. As the choppers carrying his platoon of American and Vietnamese Special Forces tried to land, the enemy opened fire. It took two hours for Howard and his men to clear the landing zone and get all the troops in. By dusk, as they were moving forward to a hill where they thought the wounded Green Beret might be hiding, a force of about 250 North Vietnamese suddenly attacked.

Howard and his lieutenant were at the head of the platoon when a claymore mine went off nearby. Howard was knocked unconscious; when he came to, he thought he was blind, until he realized that the blood from wounds on his face had gotten into his eyes. His hands were mangled by shrapnel, which had also destroyed his weapon. He could hear his lieutenant groaning in pain a few yards away, and he was almost overcome by a sickening odor: An enemy soldier with a Soviet flamethrower was burning the bodies of Howard's comrades killed in the attack.

Deciding to blow himself up rather than be incinerated, too, Howard struggled to get a grenade off his web belt, then fumbled with the pin. The soldier with the flamethrower watched him for a moment, then walked away. Howard threw the grenade after him, then crawled to his lieutenant and tried to pull him down the hill into a ravine where the surviving Americans and South Vietnamese had taken refuge. When he got the officer down to a large tree root, where another GI had taken shelter, he screamed at the soldier to hand over his weapon. The soldier tossed him his .45 pistol, then opened fire himself with his rifle, killing three enemy soldiers who were trying to capture Howard and his lieutenant.

At that moment an NVA round struck Howard's ammunition pouch, blowing him several feet down the hill. Still clutching the .45, he crawled back to the lieutenant, shooting several North Vietnamese along the way, and finally dragged him down to the ravine.

Howard took charge of the remaining Special Forces troops, then called in U.S. air strikes. For the next two days the North Vietnamese probed his position. On the morning of December 31, U.S. helicopters were finally able to stage an evacuation.

Two years later, in February 1971, Howard was a captain in charge of a Special Forces company under assault by the enemy when he got a call on a field telephone from General William Westmoreland. "We're in pretty bad shape here,"

Howard said, thinking the general had called to find out his situation. "Yeah, I know," Westmoreland replied, "but we're going to bring you out and give you the Medal of Honor."






















Robert Howard received the medal from President Richard Nixon on March 2, 1971. He retired at the rank of colonel in 1992.

Howard, who served five tours of Vietnam, was a sergeant first class in the Army’s Special Forces and spent most of his five tours in the secret Military Assistance Command, Vietnam-Studies and Observation Group, or MACV-SOG, which was an unconventional force whose members were assigned to deep-penetration reconnaissance and interdiction missions.

On Dec. 30, 1968, he rallied a badly shot-up platoon against an estimated 250 enemy soldiers in Vietnam. Despite being unable to walk because of injuries from grenade blasts, he coordinated a strong counterattack while aiding the wounded and was the last man to board a helicopter, according to military records.

He was nominated for the Medal of Honor, the highest honor for valor, three times during a 13-month period.

His long list of awards also included the Distinguished Service Cross (which he was awarded in 1971 for the rescue of  a seriously wounded platoon leader who was under enemy fire), the Silver Star and eight Purple Hearts.






















At an annual convention for Medal of Honor recipients in Chicago, Howard said he and others wore the

medal not to honor themselves, but for all U.S. troops past and present, including “those who stood beside us and for those who did not come home.”

During his 54 months of combat duty in Vietnam, Howard was wounded 14 times and was awarded eight Purple Heart Medals.





















Some Biographical Information

(NOTE: The following information was obtained directly from COL Howard in 2002)

Colonel Bob Howard is a native of Alabama, with his home record San Antonio, Texas. He entered military service on July 20, 1956 and was medically retired on September 30, 1992.  He received a direct appointment from Master Sergeant to First Lieutenant in December 1969.  His thirty six years of military service included over 33 years on airborne status.  He participated in two movies concerning airborne and special operations missions, both featuring John Wayne.  He made a parachute jump on the filming of The Longest Day and as an Airborne Instructor in The Green Berets.

Military assignments include duty with the 82d and 101st Airborne Divisions; 2d Ranger Battalion; 3d, 5th, and 6th, Special Forces Group; 5th Infantry Division; 7th Corps, XVIII Airborne Corps.  He served in the Eighth United States Army and Combined Forces Command.  Service in Vietnam included serving with 1/327th Airborne Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, 5th Special Forces Group, and MACV SOG. Colonel Howard commanded a Reconnaissance Company, MACV SOG in Vietnam, a separate Ranger Company at  Fort Benning, Georgia, two Ranger Companies while assigned to the 2d Ranger Battalion.  He was the Post Commander of Kelly Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany, Executive Officer of the 2d Ranger Battalion, and the Mountain Ranger Camp.

Military Instructor duties include Airborne, Ranger, and Pathfinder at the Infantry School, Tactics at the Command and General Staff College, Special Operations and Special Forces at the Special Warfare Center.  Staff assignments have included duty with AC of S, G3, XVIII, Airborne Corps, C3, J3, G3, Combined Forces Command/Eighth United States Army, Korea.  Military training includes the Basic and Advanced Infantry Courses at the Infantry School; Special Forces Enlisted and Officer Courses at the Special Warfare Center and School; Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, and the National War College in Washington, D.C.

Colonel Howard was a distinguished honor graduate of the Ranger Course, Pathfinder Course, and Parachute Rigger School.  Received the Outstanding Infantryman's Trophy as Outstanding Infantry Officer of Class 1979-1980 at the Command and General Staff College.  He graduated from the National War College, Class 1987-1988.  His military service also contributed to exceptional civilian recognition for service to his nation.  He received the Outstanding Youngman of America award 1970; nominated as one of ten Outstanding Youngmen in America in 1971 and 1972; inducted into Military Hall of Fame, Hoover Institute, Stanford University in 1980, inducted into Military Hall of Fame, Veterans of Foreign Wars, State of Alabama in 1973; Promoted to Colonel for Life, Alabama State Militia, State of Alabama, Governor George Wallace, 1976.


























AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

   * Congressional Medal of Honor    
   * Distinguished Service Cross
   * Silver Star
   * Bronze Star for Valor, 3d Oak Leaf Cluster
   * Purple Heart, 8th Award, 7th Oak Leaf Cluster
   * Defense Superior Service Medal
   * Legion of Merit, 3d Oak Leaf Cluster
   * Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement
   * Air Medal for Valor, 2d Oak Leaf Cluster
   * Army Commendation Medal for Valor, 3d Oak Leaf Cluster
   * Air Medal for Aerial Flights
   * Army Meritorious Service Medal, 2d Oak Leaf Cluster
   * Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Achievement, 2d Oak Leaf Cluster
   * Joint Service Commendation Medal
   * Joint Service Achievement Medal
   * Army Achievement Medal
   * Good Conduct Medal 4th Award
   * National Defense Service Medal
   * Armed Forces Reserve Medal
   * PNCO Ribbon W/2 device
   * Army Overseas Ribbon
   * Army Service Ribbon
   * Expeditionary Medal, 2d Oak Leaf Cluster
   * Vietnam Service Medal
   * Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 device
   * Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star
   * Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star
   * Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star
   * Vietnam Honor Medal 2d Award
   * Vietnamese Wound Medal
   * Vietnamese Civil Action Medal 2d Award
   * Army Presidential Unit Citation, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster
   * Navy Valorous Unit Citation
   * Army Meritorious Unit Citation
   * Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster
   * Republic of Korea Samil Medal
   * Combat Infantryman's Badge
   * Aircraft Crewman's Badge
   * Master Parachute Badge
   * Pathfinder Badge
   * Air Assault Badge
   * Expert Infantryman's Badge
   * Vietnamese Ranger Badge
   * Army Ranger Tab
   * Special Forces Qualification Tab
   * Thai Master Parachute Wings
   * Vietnamese Master Parachute Badge
   * French Parachutist Badge
   * Korean Master Parachute Badge
   * Thai Balloonist Badge



























EDUCATION:

University of Maryland 1962 - AA, Business Administration

Texas Christian University 1973 - BA, Police Administration

Central Michigan University 1980 - MA, Management and Supervision

Central Michigan University 1981 - MA, Public Administration




























SERVICE; UNIT ASSIGNMENT / ENLISTED AND OFFICER HISTORY:

Commissioned from Master Sergeant to First Lieutenant in 1969

Assignments with 82d Airborne Division:  Rifleman, Squad Leader, Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, and Company

Commander, C Company, 1/504th Parachute Infantry

Assignments with 101st Airborne Division: Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant, 1/327th Airborne Infantry

Assignments with the 5th Infantry Division: Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant, C Co 2/61st Infantry

Weapons Specialist, Demolition Team Leader, Charlie Company, 3d Special Forces Group

Operations and Intelligence Sergeant, Headquarters Company, 6th Special Forces Group

Team Leader, Weapons Specialist, B52, 5th Special Forces Group, Vietnam

Team Leader and Reconnaissance Company First Sergeant, 5th Special Forces Group, Forward Operational Base # 2, Vietnam

Procurement/Retention NCO, Headquarters, Special Warfare Center/School

Executive Officer, Team Leader Reconnaissance Company, Command and Control Central, MACV SOG, Vietnam

Company Commander, Reconnaissance Company, Command and Control Central, MACV SOG, Vietnam

Ground Training Committee Chief, Airborne Department, Infantry School

Tower Training Committee Chief, Airborne Department, Infantry School

Pathfinder Committee Chief, Airborne Department, Infantry School

Company Commander C Co 75th Rangers, 1/29 Infantry

Company Commander A Co 2/75th Rangers

Company Commander C Co 2/75th Rangers

Company Commander HHC, 2/75th Rangers

Officer In Charge Patrolling Committee, Mountain Ranger Division, Infantry School

Executive Officer, Mountain Ranger Division, Infantry School

Instructor Department of Tactics, Command and General Staff College

Chief Instructor Phase One Special Forces Training, Special Warfare School

Committee Chief, Officer and Enlisted Special Forces Qualification Course, Special Warfare School

Chief, Joint Combined UW Task Force, Korean Special Forces, Songnam, Korea

Battalion Commander and Headquarters Commandant VII Corps Special Troops, Stuttgart, Germany

Post Commander and Moehringen/Degerloch Military Sub Community, Kelly Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany

Special Operations Commander, USFK

Special Assistant Cmdg General 5th USA

Cof S, Ops/Plns, LAIO, Reserve Components, 5th USA, Coalition Forces, Desert Shield/ Storm





















Col. Howard carrying a wounded prisoner of war.


OVERSEAS WARTIME SERVICE:

Vietnam Service includes service with 1/327 Inf, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne, Delta Project, B52, 5th Special Forces

Group, MACV SOG, FOB # 2 and CCC. Overseas tours include France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Panama and Vietnam



DISTINCTION ACHIEVED DURING MILITARY TRAINING:

Distinguished Honor Graduate, Parachute Rigger Course

Distinguished Honor Graduate Pathfinder Course

Distinguished Honor Graduate Ranger Course

Outstanding Infantryman Class 1979- 1980, Command and General Staff College

Company Commander of Advanced Infantry Class 1973, Infantry Officers Advance Class, Infantry School



CIVILIAN AWARDS AND TITLES:

10 Outstanding Youngmen in America, 1971-1972

Outstanding American Citizen Award, Birmingham, Alabama - 1973

Inducted into Military Hall of Fame, Hoover Institute, Stanford University - 1980

Ticker Tape Parade Honoree, Key to the City Award, New York City, NY - 1986

Outstanding Citizen Award, Dallas, Texas - 1993

Inducted into the State of Texas, War Memorial, Vietnam Section, Medal of Honor Groove, Statue Included, McAllen, Texas - 1998



FRATERNAL MEMBERSHIPS:

Honorary National Aide De Camp, National Commander American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars

LIFE MEMBER: VFW, ALG, AMVETS, DAV, VVA, Special Operations, and Special Forces Associations, Military Order of

Purple Heart, Legion of Valor, Medal of Honor Society, US Army Ranger Association (USARA)

STATE OF ALABAMA TITLE: "Colonel of the Militia"



ALUMNI:

Texas Christian University
Central Michigan University
National War College






























Robert L. Howard Medal Of Honor Citation


HOWARD, ROBERT L.

Rank and organization:
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 5
th Special Forces Group (Airborne),
1st Special Forces

Place and date:
Republic of Vietnam,
30 December 1968 

Entered service at:
Montgomery, Alabama

Born:
11 July 1939,
Opelika, Alabama


   
Citaition:

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 one 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 3 1/2 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.



















After retirement from military service in 1992, Colonel Robert Howard was employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Col. Howard was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2005.

Robert L. Howard retired in January 2006, after 52 years of U.S. Government Service.




















Col.Howard, a larger-than-life figure on the national military scene, appeared at many patriotic events in San
Antonio and helped honor the wounded by attending Purple Heart ceremonies. At his suggestion, the local Blue Star Mothers of America chapter began holding an annual ceremony in late December to remember the troops serving overseas.

“He said, ‘Don’t forget the troops at Christmas.’ He was very adamant about that,” said Chris Peche, who in 2004 helped organize the annual event, now held each year at the Alamo.

Col.Howard traveled, as he often did, to Iraq and Afghanistan to talk to U.S. troops about service. He also visited troops in Germany, Bosnia and Kosovo.



























The 70-year-old Robert Howard died in a hospice in Waco, Texas, according to a report in the San Antonio Express News. The newspaper, quoting a longtime friend of Howard’s, retired Sgt. Maj. Benito Guerrero, said Howard had been suffering from pancreatic cancer. He had been living in the San Antonio area since retiring from the Army in 1992 at the rank of colonel.

Col. Howard is survived by his children, Denicia Howard of Florida, Melissa Gentsch and husband, Asst. Chief of Police Frank Gentsch of Waco, Rosslyn Howard of California and Robert Howard, Jr. and wife, Tori of California; and his grandchildren, Victoria Batey and husband, Luke of Denton, Holley Gentsch of Waco, Trey Howard of California and Isabella Gentsch of Waco.



















Colonel Robert L. Howard  was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery, along with the many war heroes who had preceded him.





















"One of the most memorable things about the service for me was the gathering of over a dozen Medal of Honor recipients that were on hand to honor their brother in arms," said Col. Randall Zeegers of Chelsea, commander of the Alabama Army National Guard's 20th Special Forces Group, who attended the graveside service for Howard. "It was cold, windy, overcast and several feet of snow on the ground. Hundreds of soldiers, veterans, family members, friends and government officials were on hand."


























"His mission is complete; he fought the good fight with as much valor that any single man can muster," Col.  Zeegers said with feeling.























Robert L. Howard is said to be our nation's most decorated soldier from the Vietnam War. He was the last Vietnam Special Forces Medal of Honor recipient still on active duty when he retired on Sept. 29, 1992.

His story is told in John Plaster's excellent book, SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam.

It is important for future generations that we remember our military heroes and the great sacrifices they have made for us in the name of Freedom.

Mission Complete! Rest in Peace Colonel Howard.