Col. Robert Lewis Howard, a recipient of Medal of Honor and nation’s most decorated soldier, died yesterday. He was 70.
Retired Col. Robert Lewis Howard died on December 23 around noon at a hospital in Waco, Texas. He was battling with pancreatic cancer and was admitted in the hospital for three weeks before his death.
Col. Robert Lewis Howard �” An Account of his Military Services
Robert Lewis Howard joined U.S. army at Alabama in 1956 and retired from the army as a colonel in 1992. He was awarded with nation’s most esteemed award, Medal of Honor, for his services during the Vietnam War. Col. Robert L. Howard was nominated three times for this award.
In 1967, Sergeant First Class Howard was leading a platoon in Laos. While the main enemy body was destroyed, Howard’s team stumbled upon four Vietnamese troopers. His team was attacked by heavy machine guns. Howard targeted the machine gun occupant and killed him. Moments later, a second machine gun opened its fire on Howard’s team. He crawled towards it and destroyed it by throwing a hand grenade towards the machine gun. The enemy didn’t quit and another Vietnamese trooper took over the machine gun. Howard stood up in the open fire and targeted the gun with a light weapon. He helped the team to successfully escape. For his bravery Robert L. Howard was nominated for the Medal of Honor. This was his first nomination.
In 1986, Howard was once again battling against the Vietnamese troopers in Cambodia. Howard and his team were searching for Robert Scherdin, who got separated from his recon team. Col. Howard was wounded severely during this rescue mission and was awarded with the well-deserved Medal of Honor. Col. Robert Lewis Howard was wounded 14 times in the Vietnam war.
He has been awarded with more than 30 awards and honors including Medal of Honors, Purple Hearts, and Air Medal. Col. Robert Lewis Howard retired from the army in1992 after 36 years of vigorous service.
Col. Robert Lewis Howard will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. No dates about his funeral ceremony have been released yet.
According to many historians, Col. Robert Lewis Howard is America’s most decorated soldier.
Col. Robert Lewis Howard
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