Medal of Honor recipient memorialized at Fort Bragg ceremony

By USASOC PAOMarch 5, 2010

Medal of Honor recipient memorialized at Fort Bragg ceremony
Sgt. Robert Howard Jr. accepts the flag that draped the casket of his father, the late Col. (Ret.) Robert Howard during the funeral and burial held Feb. 22, at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Va. Col. Howard was awarded the Medal of Honor ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - A man who was among our nation's most revered and decorated veterans was memorialized in a ceremony Feb. 19, on Fort Bragg.

The late Col. (Ret.) Robert L. Howard died Dec. 23, 2009 after more than 50 years of government service - 36 of which he served with the U.S. Army.

An Opelika, Ala. native, Howard is the only Soldier in our nation's history to be nominated for the Medal of Honor three times for separate combat actions as a member of the Special Forces between 1968 and 1969. President Nixon presented Howard the Medal of Honor on March 2, 1971. His first nomination was downgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross and his third to a Silver Star.

"We need to guard the word 'hero' and make sure it's not overused, because this man is without a doubt a true hero," said Sergeant Maj. (Ret.) Lowell Stevens, who served with Howard in Vietnam.

During his 58 months of combat, Howard received eight Purple Hearts for his actions, though he was wounded 14 times, said Maj. Gen. Michael S. Repass, United States Army Special Forces Command commanding general.

"To us, he is much more than an oil painting in a museum or a hallway," Repass said. "This particular man was unique in Special Forces history and it is through his efforts in no small measure that this regiment's fierce war fighting reputation was built.

"He was our personal hero, our standard-bearer. Well done, sir. May you rest in peace," he added.Aca,!A..

Howard was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Feb. 22, he was a distinguished honor graduate of the Ranger Course, Pathfinder Course, and Parachute Rigger School. He 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.

Howard's 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 10 Outstanding Youngmen in America in 1971 and 1972; inducted into the Military Hall of Fame, Hoover Institute, Stanford University in 1980; inducted into the Military Hall of Fame, Veterans of Foreign Wars, State of Alabama in 1973; and was promoted to colonel for life in 1976 by Alabama State Governor George Wallace and the Alabama State Militia.

His awards and decorations include the Medal of Honor; Distinguished Service Cross; Silver Star; Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit (three awards); Bronze Star for Valor (three awards); Purple Heart (eight awards); Meritorious Service Medal (two awards); Air Medal for Valor (two awards); Joint Service Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal for Valor (three awards); Joint Service Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal (four awards); National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; NCO Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Gold, Silver and Bronze Stars; and the Vietnam Wound Medal.

He was also authorized to wear the Army Presidential Unit Citation; Navy Valorous Unit Citation; Army Meritorious Unit Citation; Vietnamese Gallantry Unit Citation with Palm; Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal (two awards); Vietnam Civil Action Medal (two awards); Republic of Korea Order of National Security Merit (Samil Medal); Combat Infantryman's Badge; Expert Infantryman's Badge; Army Aircrew Badge; Master Parachutist Badge; Pathfinder Badge; Air Assault Badge; Vietnamese Ranger Badge; Special Forces Tab and Army Ranger Tab.

After retirement from military service in 1992, Howard was employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. He retired in January 2006 after 52 years of government service.