Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, First Lieutenant Robert Lewis Howard received the Medal of Honor for his actions on December 30, 1968 in Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. At the time he was serving with 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Howard was 29 years old.
The medal was presented on March 2, 1971, 2 years after the action — the White House (East Ballroom), presented by Pres. Richard M. Nixon.
Howard was born on July 11, 1939 in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama. His Medal of Honor is credited to Montgomery, Montgomery County, Alabama. Howard died on December 23, 2009 in Waco, Texas, at the age of 70. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Howard is one of 274 Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War and one of 21 credited to Alabama.
Official Medal of Honor 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 two-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 safely, 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 and one half 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
During the initial engagement, 1st Lt. Howard was wounded and his weapon destroyed by a grenade explosion.
- Manner of death: natural causes
- Cause of death: pancreatic cancer
- Age at death: 70
- Resting place: Arlington National Cemetery
Cause and manner of death: Wikidata.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Robert Lewis Howard received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Vietnam War.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Education: Opelika High School
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Alabama →
Timeline
- July 11, 1939Born in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama
- December 30, 1968Act of valor — Republic of VietnamAge 29. 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces
- March 2, 1971Medal of Honor presentedThe White House (East Ballroom), presented by Pres. Richard M. Nixon
- December 23, 2009Died in Waco, TexasAge 70.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Robert Lewis Howard (July 11, 1939 – December 23, 2009) was a United States Army Special Forces officer and recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War. He was wounded 14 times over 54 months of combat, was awarded the Medal of Honor, eight Purple Hearts, Distinguished Service Cross, a Silver Star, and four Bronze Stars. Howard was nominated for the Medal of Honor three times over a 13-month period but received lesser medals for the first two nominations, which were for actions performed in Cambodia where the U.S. was fighting covertly. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on December 30, 1968, his third nomination.
From the Wikipedia article “Robert L. Howard”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
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