RIP Bob Howard: Reporting for Duty at the Elysian Fields

Cross Posted from The Burn Pit. I generally avoid doing that, but everyone should know this man. Come comment over at my shop as well as here if you would.

One of the toughest men to ever live passes on to the everlasting.

“If you love this country as an individual, you can make a difference.”

In one of my favorite posts of all time, my good friend (and Warcraft buddy) Claymore talked about playing with green army men and their fight during the battle of Miramar Drive. His post didn’t get as much love as it deserved in my opinion, because I think it touches on everything that made childhood so wonderful. I might not have been an actual pirate or travel in space, but for moments I could just believe I was. But Pirate or Astronaut aside, what I wanted to be more than anything was a true war hero.

Well, reality crushed all that, but as a kid, who wouldn’t want that? It makes me wonder what Bob Howard thought before he passed on. Did he look back over his 70 years of life and smile and think to himself: “I became the man I wanted to be.”?

Just watch this video:

How many of us can say we overcame all that he did, and excelled at that level? That’s not even a rhetorical question, because the answer is none. The man was without peer. I heard him speak once and I text messaged some folks to talk about it, because I just can’t even imagine how a man could get injured and return to combat, THIRTEEN times over.

He was nominated for the MOH three times. Here’s the one he was awarded:

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 2-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 1 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 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. 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.

I looked at a lot of pictures of Col. Howard today, and in each one he has this compelling smile. Not sure what it is exactly, but it touches something. Like he hates pictures, but also a man who is comfortable within himself, if not with the adulation. Go and look at his pictures on wiki so you can see what I mean.

I’m watching a long interview with him right now that he gave at the Pritzker library. (Colonel Pritzker is a proud Legionnaire.) This is one of my favorite interviews at that site ever. It is possibly even better than the one that my buddy David Bellavia gave. But the defining feature of both of those interviews was Patriotism.

Mr. Howard passed away two days before Christmas. Brian Williams paid an emotional tribute to him.

In the interview at Pritzker, Col. Howard talks about his love of being airborne. He said that he loved it so much, because it made him feel closer to God. I don’t know why that choked me up, but it did. I’d like to think that up in heaven Col. Howard stands at the door, waiting on the green light to jump. He spent his life seeking to liberate the oppressed (De oppresso liber) and I wonder if he is enjoying the relaxation he deserves in the afterlife, or if he’s angling to get back into the fight.

There’s a prayer to St. Michael that goes:

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host –
by the Divine Power of God –
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

If that heavenly host ever comes down to protect me, I would feel a lot better if I saw that wry smile on the face of one of the angels in the vanguard.

Category: Politics