Veteran of the Day – March 6, 2026
Colonel Robert L. Howard
United States Army | Medal of Honor | Vietnam War
Name: Robert Lewis Howard
Rank: Colonel
Branch: United States Army
Unit: U.S. Army Special Forces (MACV-SOG)
Born: July 11, 1939 – Opelika, Alabama
Died: December 23, 2009 – Waco, Texas
Early Life
Robert Lewis Howard was born in Opelika, Alabama, in 1939. Raised with a strong sense of duty and determination, he enlisted in the United States Army as a young man and soon gravitated toward the elite ranks of the U.S. Army Special Forces, known as the Green Berets.
His courage, leadership, and resilience would later make him one of the most decorated soldiers of the Vietnam War.
Vietnam War Service
During the Vietnam War, Howard served with MACV-SOG (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group), a highly classified special operations unit tasked with conducting covert reconnaissance and combat missions deep behind enemy lines.
These missions frequently took place in Laos and Cambodia, where small teams of American Special Forces soldiers and indigenous fighters operated in extremely dangerous conditions.
Howard repeatedly demonstrated extraordinary bravery in combat.
During one particularly intense mission in December 1968, his reconnaissance team was ambushed by a large enemy force. Despite being seriously wounded by enemy fire and grenade blasts, Howard refused evacuation.
Instead, he:
• continued fighting against overwhelming enemy forces
• rescued wounded comrades under heavy fire
• organized the defense of his team’s position
• repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to protect others
For his extraordinary heroism and self-sacrifice, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Decorations
Colonel Howard’s record of service is among the most remarkable of the Vietnam War. His decorations include:
• Medal of Honor
• 2 Distinguished Service Crosses
• Silver Star
• 8 Purple Hearts
• 4 Bronze Stars for Valor
• numerous additional commendations
His valor was so extraordinary that he was nominated for the Medal of Honor three separate times.
Continued Service
Unlike many wartime heroes who left the military after combat, Robert L. Howard continued serving the nation for many years.
He rose through the ranks of the United States Army and eventually retired as a Colonel, leaving behind a legacy of courage, leadership, and devotion to fellow soldiers.
His life represents the quiet strength of many Vietnam veterans who returned home and continued to serve their country with honor.
Final Tribute
Colonel Robert L. Howard embodied the warrior spirit of the United States Army Special Forces.
His courage under fire saved lives, inspired fellow soldiers, and set a standard of valor that still echoes throughout the ranks of America’s military.
Though the Vietnam War tested a generation of warriors, men like Robert L. Howard proved that bravery, loyalty, and sacrifice endure long after the battlefield falls silent.
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