Wounded 14 times in 54 months of combat duty in Vietnam, Robert Howard was awarded 8 Purple Hearts and was believed to be the most decorated living American.
Colonel Howard served five tours in Vietnam and is the only soldier in our nation’s history to be nominated for the Medal of Honor three times for three separate actions within a thirteen-month period. He received a direct appointment from Master Sergeant to 1st Lieutenant in 1969, and was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Richard M. Nixon at the White House in 1971. Colonel Howard is one of America’s most decorated soldiers. His other awards for valor include the Distinguished Service Cross – our nation’s second highest award, the Silver Star – the third highest award, and eight Purple Hearts. He was the last Vietnam Special Forces Medal of Honor recipient still on active duty when he retired on Sept. 29, 1992.
This man is the very definition of courage.
Bob Howard is one of the greatest heroes America ever produced. Utterly courageous and selfless in his duty to his unit, country, and fellow soldiers, his record speaks for itself. It is to America’s great shame that he is not as publicly lauded as Audie Murphy or Alvin York.
I agree Chris, sadly I had never heard of COL Howard before.
Jeff, if you have the time and inclination, I highly recommend John L Plaster’s book “SOG”. Plaster himself is a SOG vet and he details the exploits of Col Howard and many other brave men who served in that unit (my Uncle being one of them).