Medal of Honor Recipients Visit Troops

Recently, Soldiers from the 225th Engineer Brigade got the chance to meet two living heroes; retired Col. Robert Howard and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Littrell, during their visit to Camp Liberty, April 15.

The veterans received the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and fearlessness in action while risking their lives during the Vietnam War.

Howard and Littrell retired with 36 and 24 years of service respectively, but their Army service didn't stop there. Now on their sixth visit to Iraq, the best friend duo said they feel "called" to visit troops and show their support for what they call the most professional Soldiers in the history of the American Armed Forces.

"I have a great appreciation for Americans serving this great country. It's our privilege to be here with you," said Howard. "You are very privileged to have the greatest leaders that we've had in our services, especially in the United States Army in the past 235 years, because of your level of professionalism."

"But it's more than professionalism," Howard continued, "it’s dedication and love of your country or you wouldn't be here. I applaud you."

Among the Soldiers meeting the American heroes was a fellow Soldier drafted during Vietnam, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Wilson Quebedeaux of Marksville, La., 225th Engineer Brigade.

Quebedeaux has served in Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and now Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"It is always an honor to be able to visit with any retired veteran and a distinguished Medal of Honor recipient; few people ever get to do this because most that have received this medal have died for their heroic actions and their family received the medal in their honor," Quebedeaux explained. "Any time you have an opportunity to talk to veterans of foreign war it always brings back memories when you were there as well."

More than 200 Soldiers filled the small Engineer Chapel at Camp Liberty here to listen to the living legends give advice, encouragement and more than anything, just to be in the presence of two Americans having displayed acts of the highest caliber of courage in defense of their nation and fellow Soldiers.

"I was humbled and honored to meet true American heroes," said Master Sgt. Lisa Bates, of Mena, Ark. "It was a privilege to get to meet them and something I will always remember. It's not every day you get to meet Soldiers like that."

HOWARD, ROBERT L.

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 30 December 1968. Entered service at: Montgomery, Ala. Born: 11 July 1939, Opelika, Ala. 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 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.

LITTRELL, GARY LEE

Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, Advisory Team 21, 11 Corps Advisory Group. place and date: Kontum province, Republic of Vietnam, 4-8 April 1970. Entered service at: Los Angeles, Calif. Born: 26 October 1944, Henderson, Ky. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sfc. Littrell, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, Advisory Team 21, distinguished himself while serving as a Light Weapons Infantry Advisor with the 23d Battalion, 2d Ranger Group, Republic of Vietnam Army, near Dak Seang. After establishing a defensive perimeter on a hill on April 4, the battalion was subjected to an intense enemy mortar attack which killed the Vietnamese commander, 1 advisor, and seriously wounded all the advisors except Sfc. Littrell. During the ensuing 4 days, Sfc Littrell exhibited near superhuman endurance as he single-handedly bolstered the besieged battalion. Repeatedly abandoning positions of relative safety, he directed artillery and air support by day and marked the unit’s location by night, despite the heavy, concentrated enemy fire. His dauntless will instilled in the men of the 23d Battalion a deep desire to resist. Assault after assault was repulsed as the battalion responded to the extraordinary leadership and personal example exhibited by Sfc. Littrell as he continuously moved to those points most seriously threatened by the enemy, redistributed ammunition, strengthened faltering defenses, cared for the wounded and shouted encouragement to the Vietnamese in their own language. When the beleaguered battalion was finally ordered to withdraw, numerous ambushes were encountered. Sfc. Littrell repeatedly prevented widespread disorder by directing air strikes to within 50 meters of their position. Through his indomitable courage and complete disregard for his safety, he averted excessive loss of life and injury to the members of the battalion. The sustained extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by Sfc. Littrell over an extended period of time were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him and the U.S. Army.

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