Go Back   Professional Soldiers ® > Hall of Heroes > Above and Beyond

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-01-2004, 16:05   #1
Martinez
The Team Sergeants Little Sister
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 138
Howard, Robert L.

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 5th 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

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.

For more information and photos, visit Col. Howard's web site
__________________
How do you do? My name is Trouble
I'm coming in for the kill...
And you know I will
Martinez is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2004, 17:00   #2
The Reaper
Quiet Professional
 
The Reaper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland
Posts: 24,779
COL Howard, you are THE MAN!!

Well done, Sir.

TR
__________________
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910

De Oppresso Liber 01/20/2025
The Reaper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2004, 19:39   #3
desafiamos
Quiet Professional
 
desafiamos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: below the radar
Posts: 61
2nd what you said TR. I recently had the honor of speaking with Col. Howard and he truly is "the man".
__________________
thriving in an ambiguous environment
desafiamos is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2004, 19:55   #4
NousDefionsDoc
Quiet Professional
 
NousDefionsDoc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: LA
Posts: 1,653
Should have received the other two as well. The Man indeed.
__________________
Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs, his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies. He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home.
He knows only The Cause.

Still want to quit?
NousDefionsDoc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2004, 22:02   #5
Team Sergeant
Quiet Professional
 
Team Sergeant's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 20,929
Quote:
Originally posted by desafiamos
2nd what you said TR. I recently had the honor of speaking with Col. Howard and he truly is "the man".
I had the honor of first meeting Col Howard (Maj then) at Phase One, where he proceeded to "ruck" my ass (and many other young studs) into the ground.

The man is harder than woodpecker lips.
__________________
"The Spartans do not ask how many are the enemy, but where they are."
Team Sergeant is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2004, 23:09   #6
Ambush Master
Quiet Professional
 
Ambush Master's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DFW Texas Area
Posts: 4,741
Not trying to "One Up" any one here, but I had the honor of working for the then Captain Bob Howard, CO of Recon Company, (more of a Platoon!), at Command and Control Central, Kontum, RVN.

I will say that I have never worked for anyone, before or since, that I respect as much as him !!! I will put together some of my thoughts and memories, from when I worked WITH him in RVN.

Later
Martin
__________________
Martin sends.
Ambush Master is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2004, 23:12   #7
The Reaper
Quiet Professional
 
The Reaper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland
Posts: 24,779
AM:

While you are at it, tell some Billy Waugh stories.

TR
__________________
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910

De Oppresso Liber 01/20/2025
The Reaper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2004, 07:31   #8
Martinez
The Team Sergeants Little Sister
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 138
Ah that Billy... he is also the Man!!!

Jennifer sends
__________________
How do you do? My name is Trouble
I'm coming in for the kill...
And you know I will
Martinez is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2004, 16:58   #9
Doc
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Quote:
Originally posted by Ambush Master
Not trying to "One Up" any one here, but I had the honor of working for the then Captain Bob Howard, CO of Recon Company, (more of a Platoon!), at Command and Control Central, Kontum, RVN.

I will say that I have never worked for anyone, before or since, that I respect as much as him !!! I will put together some of my thoughts and memories, from when I worked WITH him in RVN.

Later
Martin
Please do.

I've met him and believe that he's one of the greatest Soldier's in US History.
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-29-2004, 11:39   #10
Martinez
The Team Sergeants Little Sister
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 138
.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg colhoward.jpg (19.7 KB, 466 views)
__________________
How do you do? My name is Trouble
I'm coming in for the kill...
And you know I will
Martinez is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-29-2004, 16:44   #11
FILO
Guerrilla
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Tampa
Posts: 221
Quote:
Originally posted by Doc
Please do.

I've met him and believe that he's one of the greatest Soldier's in US History.
I also met him and second your opinion. Very humble guy as well!
FILO is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2004, 10:56   #12
colmurph
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Bob Howard was my Rater and Bill Carpenter was my Sr. Rater for my OER's when I was with SOC-K in 1986-87. I worked for him as DCSO for Special Ops for Combined Forces Army, 8th Army and UN Command. Hell of a guy! Gave me a good OER too!
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2004, 21:45   #13
SOGvet
Quiet Professional
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Center of the Universe
Posts: 257
Bob Howard would have been a general, but he had a thing about pinching some very senior officer's wives on the ass during his last tour in Korea...

God bless you sir!... those leg's wives loved every damned minute of it!

De Oppresso Liber
SOGvet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2004, 12:19   #14
NousDefionsDoc
Quiet Professional
 
NousDefionsDoc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: LA
Posts: 1,653
Every now and then I come here or go to the tribute site for a refresher. These were giants among men.
__________________
Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs, his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies. He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home.
He knows only The Cause.

Still want to quit?
NousDefionsDoc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2004, 15:15   #15
alphamale
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Me too.

Reading these sections makes me feel good.

FrontSight
  Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
SSG Robert McGee, 1st SFG(A) CommoGeek In Memory Of 6 07-09-2004 06:54



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 18:08.



Copyright 2004-2022 by Professional Soldiers ®
Site Designed, Maintained, & Hosted by Hilliker Technologies