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Old 12-24-2009, 11:25 AM
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formergrunt70 formergrunt70 is offline
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Default Fallen Warrior- (Merry Christmas to all) !

Another fallen comrade that did His duty. Rest in peace My "Brother"

Wishing each of You a blessed Chirstmas.

A Warrior Passes in Texas
December 24, 2009
Military.com|by Bryant Jordan


Retired Army Col. Robert L. Howard, a Medal of Honor recipient for combat action in Vietnam in 1968 and one of the America's most highly decorated Soldiers, died Dec. 23 in Waco, Texas.

The 70-year-old Howard died in a hospice in Waco, according to a report in the San Antonio Express News today. The paper, quoting a longtime friend of Howard's, retired Sgt. Maj. Benito Guerrero, said Howard had been suffering from pancreatic cancer.

Howard began his Army career as an enlisted man. During one 13-month tour in Vietnam he was nominated for the Medal of Honor three times, but in the first instance the award was downgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross. Several biographies say that downgrade, as well as another -- to the Silver Star -- was to avoid the problem of noting in the Medal of Honor citation specifics of the combat operations, which were covert.

But one nomination did result in the awarding of the MoH. It was presented to him by President Richard Nixon during a White House ceremony in 1971.

Howard was a sergeant first class assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group in December 1968 when his unit came under heavy enemy fire while on a mission to rescue a missing U.S. Soldier. Howard was wounded -- unable to walk -- and his own weapon was destroyed by a grenade blast, according to his Medal of Honor citation, but seeing his platoon leader wounded and exposed to fire Howard crawled forward under fire to pull the lieutenant back. While administering first aid to the lieutenant an enemy round hit one of the officer's ammo pouches and detonated several magazines. Howard continued to drag the officer back to the rest of the platoon, which he rallied for an organized defense. He crawled from position to position, rendering first aid to the wounded and directing fire on the surrounding enemy force that was estimated to include two companies. For more than three hours, according to the citation, his platoon, aided by air support, repulsed enemy attacks until it was possible for helicopters to extract the Soldiers. Howard was the last man to board the aircraft.

Howard was born on July 11, 1939 in Opelika, Ala. He entered the Army in 1956, still only 17, and retired as a colonel in 1992.

He was wounded 14 times during a total of 54 months of combat duty in Vietnam and was awarded eight Purple Hearts, according to his obituary.

Howard is survived by his children, Denicia Howard of Florida; Melissa Gentsch and husband, Asst. Chief of Police Frank Gentsch of Waco; Rosslyn Howard of California; Robert Howard Jr. and wife, Tori, of California; and his grandchildren, Victoria Batey and husband, Luke, of Denton, Texas, Holley Gentsch of Waco; Trey Howard of California; and Isabella Gentsch of Waco.

Howard will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, though specific details have yet to be announced
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  #2  
Old 12-24-2009, 12:22 PM
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ussfa344 ussfa344 is offline
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RIP Colonel Howrd. It is a great loss to all.

Robert
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Old 12-24-2009, 04:19 PM
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Bob Howard was without a doubt, the finest Officer I ever served under. He was my rating officer for my OER when I was assigned to SOC-K. The rating he gave me got me promoted to Col. I don't think this country will ever produce another like him.

"Be thou at peace"
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Old 12-25-2009, 07:10 AM
VIETNAM 1968 VIETNAM 1968 is offline
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Thumbs up Rest In Peace Colonel Robert L. Howard:

Another very brave American Vietnam Veteran has gone to receive his eternal reward. REST IN PEACE COL. ROBERT L. HOWARD. Your last mission here on Earth has ended and you can now STAND DOWN knowing that you were among the BEST THAT AMERICA had to offer. I salute you.

They say that when a Vietnam Veteran reports to Saint Peter, after completing his last assignment on Earth, the Vietnam Veteran is then immediately let into Heaven because that Vietnam Veteran HAD ALREADY SPENT HIS TIME IN HELL.

To Col. Howard I wish you one last belated WELCOME HOME BROTHER.

To all the rest of my Vietnam Veteran Brothers and Sisters still carrying out a mission here on Earth, I wish you a MOST SINCERE and HEART FELT:

WELCOME HOME and MERRY CHRISTMAS:


VIETNAM 1968
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Old 12-26-2009, 05:59 AM
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5thgrpguy 5thgrpguy is offline
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Bob Howard was the epitome of the SF solider, a class act both professionally and personally. There will never be another..RIP Colonel

Ron P.
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Old 12-26-2009, 08:20 AM
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I was just informed by my daughter-in-law that my son Jim will be doing Col. Howard's funeral at Arlington. It's apparantly being done by U.S. Army Special Forces Command. I'll pass info on when it will be as soon as it's passed to me.
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Old 12-27-2009, 08:15 PM
Richard Hambley Richard Hambley is offline
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Please visit rlhtribute.com to read about a true blue unsung American hero.
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Old 12-27-2009, 08:16 PM
Richard Hambley Richard Hambley is offline
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Robert L. Howard Tribute Website
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