Came across this news the other day......the US
Military Veteran continue to provide support
leadership even as civilian.
WACO, Texas — Retired Col. Robert Lewis
Howard, a man considered to be the country's most decorated
soldier, died Wednesday. He was 70.
Howard grew up in Opelika, Ala., and served in the Army from
1956 to 1992. He was part of the U.S. Army Special Forces, known as
the Green Berets, and ran cross-border operations in Laos, Cambodia
and North Vietnam. He was wounded 14 times in Vietnam and was
awarded eight Purple Hearts.
He was nominated three times for the Medal of Honor, the
nation's most prestigious award for combat veterans. President
Richard M. Nixon presented him with the honor at the White House in
1971 for his bravery in Vietnam during a mission to rescue a
missing soldier in enemy territory.
During that mission, the platoon was attacked. Howard tended to
his wounded platoon leader while under fire and rallied platoon
members into and organized defense force until rescue helicopters
could land.
"With complete disregard for his safety, 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 1/2 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," according to his Medal of Honor citation.
His other two nominations were downgraded, one to the
Distinguished Service Cross and the other to the Silver Star.
At a gathering earlier this year for Medal of Honor recipients,
Howard said he and others given the medal don't wear their awards
for themselves.
"It is for all those who have and do wear the uniform of this
great country of ours," Howard told the crowd. "For those who stood
beside us and for those who did not come home."
In April, Howard traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan to talk to
troops. About two months ago he visited troops in Germany, Bosnia
and Kosovo, the Express-News reported.
"As one of America's most decorated veterans, Col. Howard
inspired everyone he met to consider their own commitment to our
nation's essential values, and was the bravest soldier I ever met,"
Texas Gov. Rick Perry said in a statement. "His unshakeable
commitment to freedom, displayed in countless episodes of
battlefield gallantry, lives on in the actions of our military men
and women who continue to serve in hostile conditions
overseas."