FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Robert L Howard ~ September 22, 2014

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Robert L. Howard
All info from this website.

           

Robert L. Howard (July 11, 1939, Opelika, Alabama – December 23, 2009, Waco, Texas) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Army and Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War.

 Biography

He entered the Army at Montgomery, Alabama and retired as Colonel.

As a staff sergeant of the highly-classified Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG), Howard was recommended for the Medal of Honor on three separate occasions for three individual actions during thirteen months spanning 1967–1968. The first two nominations were downgraded to the award of the Distinguished Service Cross due to the covert nature of the operations in which Howard participated. As a Sergeant First Class of the same organization, he risked his life during a rescue mission in Cambodia on December 30, 1968, while second in command of a platoon-sized Hornet force that was searching for missing American soldier Robert Scherdin, and was finally awarded the Medal of Honor.

It is believed by some historians that Howard is the most highly- decorated American soldier in history. His residence was in Texas and he spent much of his free time working with veterans at the time of his death. He also took periodic trips to Iraq to visit active duty troops.

Howard died of pancreatic cancer at a hospice in Waco, Texas on December 23, 2009.

Click here for a beautiful video tribute.

 The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
FIRST LIEUTENANT

ROBERT L. HOWARD
UNITED STATES ARMY

for service as set forth in the following 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.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission!

[SandRat]

The Hero.

[Soaring Feather]

Good evening, Kathy.

HUGS

Calm day today, I hope you got some down time you’ve been very busy. Hope your mom is feeling better.

[SandRat]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...glad you got your power back.

Were you solo today? A drummer, too?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks and good evening, Ms Feather...((HUGS))...are you seeing signs of fall? Leaves turning and falling?

She is feeling better. Knees seem to work much better in the morning. Tomorrow she starts using the heating pad on them. Yesterday and today was ice pack.

She is to call the handyman tomorrow and see if he will come and make the one step left, not covered by the stair lift, 1/2 the size (among other small jobs). She had a terrible time getting up when we got home from the doctor on Friday. For now, no downstairs trip without and aide.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Very cool...a visit with your daughter AND some garden time. Nice.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Luv....he was indeed quite the hero. Stories we need to know.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, mountainlion....achieving the impossible does take help from above. You are so right.

[Kathy in Alaska]

"The Hero"

He sure was.

Good evening, Sand...((HUGS))...hope you had a restful weekend.

Maddi Monday?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Snoopy....I feel your pain.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning/afternoon/evening/night Troops, wherever you are.

Thank you for doing your part to help keep all of us free and safe.

Thanks, unique, for the pastries.

Coffee is always on........

How about a donut?

Cookies?

Veggies?

Sandwich?

[Kathy in Alaska]

God bless and keep safe our troops worldwide.

Good night.

Statler Brothers ~ How Great Thou Art

[where's_the_Outrage?]

I had him (then Major Howard) as a Ranger Instructor in 1978, I remember him saying:

“How many rangers does it take to complete the mission?

One”

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good Monday morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

((HUGS))Good morning, Ladies. Thanks for this morning's thread, Star. How's it going?

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, Canteen.

Good morning to our

Military, our Allies, and their families.

Thank You one and all.

Thank you, Star, for preparing the Canteen for today’s activities.

Thank you and R I P
Robert L Howard

WOW, can you believe we are at the end of September already?
I'm like, where did the month go?
Gonna post, then check out the pings and the news.
Crazy crap has been happening in the world.
Beginning to feel like becoming a recluse.
Hope to find some happy news for a change.
Or win the lottery...hehe.

But please stay right where you are.
Chat up the military or a family member.
No need to fret...you know I'll be back!

The FR Canteen is

Come in and sit for a while.
There's always plenty of coffee, tea,
pancakes, conversation, silliness,
and plain old BS

REMEMBER THEM ~ DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, Beach. How’s it going?

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning to everyone at the Canteen. 74º here this morning with highs in the 80s this week. I was getting sick of the triple digit days.

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning beach and (((HUGS))).