I don’t believe any of us could have ever sat down to develop the resume of what a great soldier would look like. If we included just half of what is listed below nobody would believe it. But truth is stranger than fiction and even our most brave and heroic look upon COL Howard as an icon.
COL Robert L Howard (MOH) 1939 – 2009, passed away at 1130 Dec 23, 2009
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, and 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 with Oak leaf Cluster
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/Plans, LAIO, Reserve Components, 5th USA, Coalition Forces, Desert Shield/ Storm
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
STATE OF ALABAMA TITLE: "Colonel of the Militia"
ALUMNI:
Texas Christian University
Central Michigan University
National War College
Col Howard was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2005.
After retirement from military service in 1992, Colonel Bob Howard was employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
He retired in January 2006 after 52 years of government service.
DE OPPRESSO LIBER
RLTW
If anyone wants to send cards they MUST be sent to the address below and will be forwarded from there. Thank you.
COL Robert L Howard
c/o CMOHS
40 Patriots Point Road
MT Pleasant, SC 29464
To visit his tribute site = http://www.rlhtribute.com
COL Robert L Howard (MOH) 1939 – 2009, passed away at 1130 Dec 23, 2009
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, and 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 with Oak leaf Cluster
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/Plans, LAIO, Reserve Components, 5th USA, Coalition Forces, Desert Shield/ Storm
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
STATE OF ALABAMA TITLE: "Colonel of the Militia"
ALUMNI:
Texas Christian University
Central Michigan University
National War College
Col Howard was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2005.
After retirement from military service in 1992, Colonel Bob Howard was employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
He retired in January 2006 after 52 years of government service.
DE OPPRESSO LIBER
RLTW
If anyone wants to send cards they MUST be sent to the address below and will be forwarded from there. Thank you.
COL Robert L Howard
c/o CMOHS
40 Patriots Point Road
MT Pleasant, SC 29464
To visit his tribute site = http://www.rlhtribute.com
