![\"\"](\"http:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/8\/87\/Col_howard.jpg\")
<\/center>Ask many Americans who Audie Murphy or Sergeant York or George Patton – or many other famous American military figures are – and you’ll likely get at least a fair number who know who you’re talking about. But ask them if they know who Robert Howard was, and I’d guess 95% or more would give you a blank look – or would say “He was some soldier, right?”.<\/p>\n
That’s a damn shame. The man deserves far better than that.<\/p>\n
I don’t believe I can portray the essence of the man better than these two articles, so I won’t try; you’ll have to read them yourself. \u00a0The first<\/a> was written by someone who served with COL Howard.\u00a0 The second<\/a> is by a young man originally from Ireland who is now a naturalized US citizen because of COL Howard – and whose article’s title I used above in a slightly-modified form.<\/p>\n Though I can’t do better, I’ll provide a summary giving some background about the man.\u00a0 COL Robert Lewis Howard was raised in Opelika, Alabama.\u00a0 He enlisted in the US Army in July 1956, at age 17.\u00a0 He served for roughly 13 1\/2 years as an enlisted soldier, earning the rank of Master Sergeant (MSG) during that time.\u00a0 In December 1969, he received a direct appointment from MSG to 1LT while in Vietnam.\u00a0 He continued his career as an officer until retirement, attaining the rank of Colonel prior to retiring.\u00a0 COL Howard was medically retired from the US Army in September 1992, having served in various capacities for over 36 years.<\/p>\n Unlike many of the fakes we see here at TAH, COL Howard really was<\/em> Airborne\/Ranger\/Special Forces.\u00a0 He served in the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, as well with XVIII Airborne Corps. He served in Ranger and Special Forces units. He served with both the 101st Airborne Division and with Special Forces (mostly in MACV-SOG) in Vietnam, spending a total of 54 months in-country. The vast majority of his 36+ year career was spent in the Airborne and Special Operations communities – either in operational units, or in developing doctrine and\/or leading training for same.\u00a0 He had over 33 years on active jump status<\/span>.<\/p>\n Hardcore? Yeah – seriously<\/em> hardcore.<\/p>\n COL Howard’s record of heroism under fire is similarly stunning.\u00a0 He has the distinction of being the only US soldier to be recommended three times<\/span> to receive the Medal of Honor, for three separate acts of valor.\u00a0 These acts occurred in November 1967; November 1968; and December 1968.\u00a0 The first two recommendations were downgraded to the Silver Star and Distinguished Service Cross, respectively.\u00a0 COL Howard received the Medal of Honor for the third action<\/a>.\u00a0 Many he served with believed he deserved the Medal of Honor for all three.<\/p>\n As incredible as this might seem, those three actions alone don’t tell the whole story of COL Howard’s combat valor.\u00a0 Except for the Distinguished Flying Cross (he was not a pilot), COL Howard was awarded every other existing Army decoration that can be awarded for combat valor <\/em>at least once.\u00a0 He was wounded in combat 14 times<\/em> – though he only received 8 Purple Hearts, reportedly because he considered the other 6 wounds “too minor” to merit award of a Purple Heart.\u00a0 A complete listing of his awards, decorations, and tabs\/badges is at the end of this article.\u00a0 The list is . . . awe-inspiring.\u00a0 Literally.<\/p>\n COL Howard’s courage extended to more than facing physical risk.\u00a0 As a senior officer, he publicly suggested in 1986 that US POWs had been left behind in Vietnam, and was apparently willing to testify to that effect to Congress.\u00a0 He had to know that such a public statement would almost certainly kill any chances he might have of further advancement – but he was willing to stick to his guns and do what he thought was right anyway.\u00a0 (For the record, I think COL Howard was wrong about US POWs being left behind.\u00a0 But regardless of whether he was right or wrong, you have to admire his guts in choosing to do what he thought right over probable stars.)<\/p>\n After his retirement from the Army, COL Howard served in a civilian capacity with the Veteran’s Administration for 13 years.\u00a0 He spent much of the last 3 years of his life visiting soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.<\/p>\n COL Howard was claimed by pancreatic cancer on 23 December 2009.\u00a0 He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on 22 February 2010.\u00a0 Reputedly, he eschewed the narcotic painkillers prescribed by his doctors as much as possible during the terminal phase of his illness, often clandestinely spitting them out after pretending to take them.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 He wanted to remain as clear-headed and lucid as possible while he was among us.<\/p>\n . . .<\/strong><\/p>\n Many people speak of the mythical “great American Hero”; others speak of some mythical “ultimate warrior”.\u00a0 If you want to see what either might look like – look at the photograph above.\u00a0 IMO that’s about as close as you’ll get to those ideals in real life.<\/p>\n RIP, COL Robert L. Howard – my elder brother-in-arms and a true American hero indeed.\u00a0 You’ve certainly earned that.<\/p>\n ————————————————————————<\/p>\n