12-24-2009, 01:20 AM
Medal of Honor recipient Robert L. Howard {COL, USA Ret.} died of cancer today in Waco, TX. http://www.mysanantonio.com/military/80023787.html#
Col. Howard was quite possibly the most decorated U.S. serviceman in contemporary military history.
He was nominated three times in thirteen months for the MoH in distinct actions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_L._Howard
His awards include:
MoH
DSC {2x}
Silver Star
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit {4x}
Bronze Star {4x with 'V' for valor}
Purple Heart {8x} <--not a typo, EIGHT times!
Air Medal {3x including one for heroism}
Col. Howard was a Green Beret and Ranger. A veteran of five tours of duty in Vietnam/SE Asia {some still classified}, he enlisted in the US Army in 1956 and served for 36 years, retiring as a full Colonel in September 1992. He also found time to earn two Master's Degrees.
Col. Howard's remains will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
Ranger On Colonel!
"An Old Soldier's Prayer"
{A poem by Lewis L. Millett, Sr.}
I have fought when others feared to serve.
I have gone where others failed to go.
I've lost friends in war and strife,
Who valued Duty more than love of life.
I have shared the comradeship of pain.
I have searched the lands for men that we have lost.
I have sons who served this land of liberty,
Who would fight to see that other stricken lands are free.
I have seen the weak forsake humanity.
I have heard the traitors praise our enemy.
I've seen challenged men become ever bolder,
I've seen the Duty, Honor, Sacrifice of the soldier.
Now I understand the meaning of our lives.
The loss of comrades not so very long ago.
So to you who have answered duties siren call,
May God bless you my son, may God bless you all.
If I'm a slave and you are free, will you fight for my liberty?
It was truly my privelege to have known the colonel!
Rest in peace sir :patriot:
Col. Howard was quite possibly the most decorated U.S. serviceman in contemporary military history.
He was nominated three times in thirteen months for the MoH in distinct actions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_L._Howard
His awards include:
MoH
DSC {2x}
Silver Star
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit {4x}
Bronze Star {4x with 'V' for valor}
Purple Heart {8x} <--not a typo, EIGHT times!
Air Medal {3x including one for heroism}
Col. Howard was a Green Beret and Ranger. A veteran of five tours of duty in Vietnam/SE Asia {some still classified}, he enlisted in the US Army in 1956 and served for 36 years, retiring as a full Colonel in September 1992. He also found time to earn two Master's Degrees.
Col. Howard's remains will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
Ranger On Colonel!
"An Old Soldier's Prayer"
{A poem by Lewis L. Millett, Sr.}
I have fought when others feared to serve.
I have gone where others failed to go.
I've lost friends in war and strife,
Who valued Duty more than love of life.
I have shared the comradeship of pain.
I have searched the lands for men that we have lost.
I have sons who served this land of liberty,
Who would fight to see that other stricken lands are free.
I have seen the weak forsake humanity.
I have heard the traitors praise our enemy.
I've seen challenged men become ever bolder,
I've seen the Duty, Honor, Sacrifice of the soldier.
Now I understand the meaning of our lives.
The loss of comrades not so very long ago.
So to you who have answered duties siren call,
May God bless you my son, may God bless you all.
If I'm a slave and you are free, will you fight for my liberty?
It was truly my privelege to have known the colonel!
Rest in peace sir :patriot: