Posted on 03/01/2006 10:09:20 PM PST by A.A. Cunningham
Marine hero leaves legacy of determination, retires after more than 30 years service
Submitted by: Marine Forces Pacific
Story Identification #: 200631203014
Story by Lance Cpl. Ethan Hoaldridge
U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES, PACIFIC, CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii (March 1, 2006) -- Grenada, 1983--Helicopters being shot down, men sacrificing their lives for their fellow warriors, American medical students being rescued and a Silver Star are all elements of a story that echoes of heroism and inspires greatness.
Col. Timothy B. Howard, a veteran of this encounter, retired in a ceremony at the Pacific War Memorial at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Feb. 24.
Howard was one of many men during Operation Urgent Fury on the Caribbean Island of Grenada that displayed those characteristics that uphold the highest traditions of the United States Naval Services.
Even after receiving a Silver Star for his courageous actions in Grenada, the real feat of awe-inspiring determination was his triumph over the severe wounds he received on Grenada, the same wounds that would almost cost him his Marine Corps career.
Even after suffering the loss of his lower right arm, and enduring more than ten surgeries on his right leg, Howard refused to give up.
“After that crash it took me a year of rehabilitation just to walk with a cane, and another year to jog,” said Howard. “I worked out two hours in the morning and another two in the evening, sometimes with tears running down my face.”
“I remember a nurse from the hospital who cautioned me not to work so hard and inflict so much pain on myself,” said Howard. “The doctor said the harder I push myself, the faster my rehabilitation will be.”
“She said that nobody else was working as hard as me, and that I should slow down,” said Howard. “I said, well ma’am, if you were an MIT graduate in a room full of morons, would you act like a moron, too?”
Since Howard’s first physical fitness test after recovery, he has never scored lower than a first-class PFT score.
In that same spirit, Howard loves the Marine Corps, because Marines strive to improve and stand out.
As an intelligence officer, Howard used the rule of three to maintain organization and readiness, so why should his retirement speech be any different?
Howard shared the three things that he stuck to throughout his Marine Corps career.
“Do the right thing, never miss an opportunity to shut up and listen, and if you’re not having fun, then you’re doing it all wrong,” he said.
With this determination and attitude, Howard earned three different commands throughout his career.
In August 1986, Howard was selected to command the 1st Remotely Piloted Vehicle Company at 29 Palms, Calif. There he was instrumental in the integration of remotely piloted vehicles into the Marine Corps Air Command and Control System.
He then served in the intelligence directorate at the Pentagon, and later assumed command of 2nd Intelligence Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force. After being promoted to colonel, he was given command of Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Paris Island, SC.
His battalion trained more than 36,000 recruits and 12,000 more Marines and Sailors in rifle training, gas mask confidence, rappelling, basic warrior skills and the Crucible.
Finally, in 2003, Howard made it to his last duty station, serving as MARFORPAC’s Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence.
Howard’s career spanned three decades in the Marine Corps, more than half his life.
“The reason I stayed in so long was because I never had a bad command or a bad duty station,” said Howard. “The Marines always came through.”
Brig. Gen. Steven A. Hummer, the commanding general of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, called Howard a hero and an example of true dedication to Corps and country.
His perseverance through the challenges he’s conquered or the foes he’s faced, whether it be a physical disability or a new command, was not endured alone.
“My wife is my number one supporter, and I couldn’t have done any of this without her,” said Howard as he lost his voice in emotion gazing at his wife Bethany.
The support of Marines will always remain in his heart as Howard retires from active duty, and the seeds that Howard has planted in the Corps will continue to grow.
Submitted by: Marine Forces Pacific
Re-published from U.S.M.C.
Story by Cpl. Luis R. Agostini
MARINE FORCES PACIFIC, CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii(Oct. 10, 2003) -- Twenty years ago, United States forces evacuated U.S. citizens held hostage by Cuba's People's Revolutionary Army in St. George's, Grenada, in what was to be known as Operation Urgent Fury.
The multi-national, multi-service coalition, consisting of the 22nd Marine Amphibious Unit, Air Force AC-130 gunships, seven Navy ships, Navy Seals, Army Rangers and paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne division, as well as Caribbean peacekeeping forces, swiftly defeated the People's Revolutionary Army and rescued the hostages. American forces suffered 18 casualties.
Three of those casualties were fellow Cobra pilots and friends of Col. Timothy Howard, Marine Forces Pacific G-2 assistant chief of staff. On Oct. 25, 1983, two AH-1T attack helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-261, 22nd MAU, were sent to Grenada to relieve pressure on a team of Navy Seals participating in Operation Urgent Fury.
The Seals were protecting the home of Sir Paul Scoone, who, in the eyes of the United States government, was vital to the restructuring of the Grenada government. A young Capt. Howard, along with Capt. Jeb Seagle, piloted one Cobra. Major John "Pat" Guigerre and 1st Lt. Jeff Sharver piloted the other.
Howard was on his second tour with what was then the 22nd MAU, which was ready to relieve the 24th MAU in Beirut, Lebanon. The 22nd MAU was diverted to Grenada on Oct. 22, 1983, one day before the Beirut bombing that took the lives of 241 U.S. service members.
"We got the call about the bombing after we had already turned for Grenada, and it was too late to turn around to help them," said Howard. "We still had to complete our mission." That morning, Rangers were dropped over Point Salines to secure the area. Other Rangers were given orders to secure True Blue campus. However, they were ambushed and requested assistance.
Along with these Rangers, another Ranger detachment was securing the area at Fort Frederick overlooking St. George's. These soldiers received heavy fire, and gunships were called in to assist them. The Cobras reloaded before taking off to relieve the Seals. After two passes over triple-canopy jungles, open fields and mountainous terrain, Howard's bird was hit by anti-aircraft fire originating from a nearby mental hospital.
Howard's Cobra had been hit several times, including three shots that injured him. The first shot hit him in the right arm tearing it off from the just below the elbow and down. The second shot hit him in the right leg, seriously wounding his knee. After the final shot hit the aircraft, a golf-ball sized piece of the aircraft became imbedded in his neck.
Howard said they were forced to land in a field near St. George's beach. During the forced landing, Howard called for his co-pilot to lower the bird, but realized Seagle had been knocked unconscious from rounds impacting the helicopter.
"He must have hit his head when we got hit, because I tried yelling his name, but he wouldn't come to. I knew I had to do something, so I tried everything I could to land safely," said Howard. Despite his injuries, Howard managed to wrap his left arm around the "stick" and control the helicopter enough to land it. During the landing however, the aircraft was seriously damaged. It caused the tail rotor to furrow and separate from the tail boom.
Upon landing, all the warning lights on the circuit board lighted up, and although the helicopter managed to stay upright, it caught on fire. Seagle regained consciousness after landing and attempted to assist Howard. "He kept yelling at me to get out, but I don't think he knew how bad I had been hurt," said Howard. Although Howard managed to unbuckle himself, he fell to the ground. Howard recalled that Seagle grabbed him by the back of his shirt and dragged him toward safety.
"I used my good leg to push with, while he was pulling me. He left me in a tall grassy field, next to a soccer stadium," said Howard. Howard said he was worried more for his co-pilots safety more than his own, and kept yelling, "You've got to get out of here. I am going to die, but you've got a chance." Seagle went for help, but Howard still anticipated his own death, and said he knew he was never going to see Seagle again.
Seagle managed to send a call for help before leaving on foot to find ground support. The other Cobra received the call and provided fire support while a CH-46 crew tried to rescue Howard. During the rescue attempt, the Cobra received fire from anti-aircraft from somewhere on the island and was shot down. Both Guigerre and Sharver were killed when their helicopter crashed into the ocean. Meanwhile, Gunnery Sgt. Kelly Neideigh, a CH-46 door gunner, and Vietnam veteran, risked his life by running into live fire to drag Howard to the CH-46 to safety.
By the time Neideigh reached Howard, more than an hour had passed since Howard's Cobra went down. Unfortunately, Howard's co-pilot, Seagle, never made it to safety; he was found dead on the beach. He had been captured and murdered while trying to find help for Howard. Howard spent many long months in the hospital, learning to deal with the loss of his arm, and the grim diagnosis made by his doctors that he would never walk again.
"It was five months before I could walk with special crutches," recalled Howard. "I walked with a cane until just about a year after being shot. I began walking fast/jogging at the two year mark." Many service members would have been content with a medical discharge following an incapacitating wound. Howard wanted to stay "Marine." "I felt I still had something to contribute to my beloved Corps. I still feel that way."
That was 17 years ago. He recently scored a first class physical fitness test. Howard was not alone during his struggle to overcome his injuries. Howard gives a lot of the praise and credit to his family. "Beth, my wife of 25 years, has been especially supportive," said Howard. "Also, my daughter, Christy, has been a true friend throughout my life."
Howard joined the Marine Corps in 1976 to fly helicopters, and still plans on giving the Corps another three to four years, at the very least. Howard's co-pilots may be lost, but never forgotten. A hangar will be dedicated to the late Capt. Jeff Sharver by HMLA-775, coinciding with HMM-261's reunion, celebrating its 20th anniversary of their participation in Operation Urgent Fury, Nov. 1, in Fredericksburg, Va.
Thank you for the post A.A. Cunningham.
Semper Fi Bump
Could you please email me the original full resolution picture? My wife’s uncle was best friends with Jeb Seagle. I am moving to Grenada for medical school, and he asked me to bury his wings at the beach where Jeb lost his life. I was going to put together something for him along with photos of the burial to mark the 30th Anniversary of the invasion. My email is mike 1985 morris at gmail dot com.
Thank you!
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