Robert Lewis Howard | Vietnam War | U.S. Army

Maybe your like

The Recipients
- Overview
- Search Recipients
- Connect With Recipients
The Medal
- Overview
- The Design
- History & Timeline
- Statistics & FAQs
- Medal of Honor Day
- Other Medals
Education
- CDP Overview
- For Administrators
- Elementary Lessons
- Secondary Lessons
- In-Person Training
- Online Training
- Path to Honor
- Resources
- Teacher Survey
- Donate to CDP
Citizen Honors
- Overview
- Search Citizen Honors
- Nominate A Citizen Hero
About the Society
- Overview
- Archives & Research
- Video Library
- Links & Resources
- Awards
- Contact Us
About the Foundation
- Overview
- Supporters
- Ways to Give
- Contact Us
- MOH Values Poll
Donate

Video Library
News & Events
Blog
MOH Museum
Connect with Recipients
Educator Login

Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Stories of Sacrifice Service Branch U.S. Army U.S. Army Air Corps Reserve U.S. Coast Guard U.S. Marine Corps Reserve U.S. Naval Reserve Fleet U.S. Navy Action Against Outlaws, Philippines 1911 Dominican Campaign Haitian Campaign 1919 - 1920 Interim 1865 - 1870 Interim 1899 - 1910 Interim 1920 - 1940 Korean War Philippine Insurrection Second Nicaraguan Campaign Spanish-American War Vietnam War War on Terrorism (Iraq) World War II Additional Filters Year of Action: - 1864 2026 State Born Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming State Accredited To Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Medal Location Rank Deceased Yes No Apply Filters View All Living Recipients or

Filter Recipient Database here
- Service Branch U.S. Air Force U.S. Army U.S. Army Air Corps U.S. Army Air Corps Reserve U.S. Army Air Service U.S. Coast Guard U.S. Marine Corps U.S. Marine Corps Reserve U.S. Naval Reserve U.S. Naval Reserve Fleet U.S. Naval Reserve Force U.S. Navy Unknown
- Conflict / Era Action Against Outlaws, Philippines 1911 China Relief Expedition (Boxer Rebellion) Dominican Campaign Haitian Campaign 1915 Haitian Campaign 1919 - 1920 Indian Campaigns Interim 1865 - 1870 Interim 1871 - 1899 Interim 1899 - 1910 Interim 1915 - 1916 Interim 1920 - 1940 Korean Campaign 1871 Korean War Mexican Campaign (Vera Cruz) Philippine Insurrection Samoa Campaign Second Nicaraguan Campaign Somalia (Operation Restore Hope) Spanish-American War U.S. Civil War Vietnam War War on Terrorism (Afghanistan) War on Terrorism (Iraq) World War I World War II
- Additional Filters Year of Action: - 1864 2026 State Born Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming State Accredited To Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Medal Location Rank Deceased Yes No Apply Filters
or

Vietnam War - U.S. Army

Robert Lewis Howard Details

Rank: First Lieutenant (rank at time of action: Sergeant First Class; final rank: Colonel)
Conflict/Era: Vietnam War
Unit/Command: 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces
Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Action Date: December 30, 1968
Medal of Honor Action Place: Republic of Vietnam

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 two-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 one 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 safely, 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 and one half 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.

USED WITH PERMISSION, COPYRIGHT NICK DELCALZO

Honor Their Sacrifice. Inspire the Future.

Each of the 3,528 Medals of Honor tells a story of uncommon valor and selfless service. Your support keeps their voices alive, their lessons enduring, and their legacy inspiring the next generation of Americans

Donate Today Additional Details

Accredited to: Montgomery, Montgomery County, Alabama
Awarded Posthumously: No
Presentation Date & Details: March 2, 1971
The White House (East Ballroom), presented by Pres. Richard M. Nixon
Born: July 11, 1939, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama, United States
Died: December 23, 2009, Waco, Texas, United States
Buried: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, United States