Robert L. Howard

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Robert L. Howard
11 July 1939 - present
COL Robert L. Howard, Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth	Opelika, Alabama
Allegiance	U.S. Army
Rank	Colonel
Battles/wars	Vietnam Conflict
Awards	Medal of Honor Distinguished Service Cross (2) Silver Star Purple Heart (8)

Col. Robert L. Howard (center), Capt. John J. McGinty, III (left) and CSM Gary L. Littrell (right) at Camp Taqaddum, Iraq on 11 November 2006.

Robert L. Howard (b. July 11 1939 in Opelika, Alabama) is a highly decorated officer of the United States Army and Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam Conflict.

He entered the Army at Montgomery, Alabama and retired as Colonel.

As a Staff Sergeant of the highly-classified Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Studies and Observations Group (MACVSOG), Howard was nominated for the Medal of Honor on two separate occasions for two individual actions during a thirteen month period spanning 1967-1968. The first nominations were downgraded to Distinguished Service Crosses due to the highly sensitive nature of the operations in which Howard participated. As a First Lieutenant of the same organization, he risked his life during a rescue mission in Laos on 30 December 1968 and was finally rewarded with the Medal of Honor.

It can be argued that Howard is the most highly decorated soldier in U.S. military history. He is, without doubt, the only American serviceman to be nominated for the nation's highest honor on three separate occasions.

1 Medal of Honor Citation
2 Awards and decorations
- 2.1 Foreign decorations
- 2.2 Badges, qualifications and tabs
3 External links
4 See also

[edit] 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

FIRST LIEUTENANT

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 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.