- SURNAME
Howard
- FORENAME
Jimmie Earl
- UNIT
1 Recon Bn (1 MarDiv) (C Company)
- RANK
Staff Sergeant
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Medal of Honor
- PLACE
South Vietnam 1966
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Jimmie Earl Howard was born July 27, 1929, in Burlington, Iowa, and graduated from high school there in 1949. He attended the University of Iowa for one year prior to enlisting in the United States Marine Corps on July 12, 1950.
He received recruit training with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. He was promoted to Private First Class upon graduation from recruit training in January 1951, then remained at the Recruit Depot as a drill instructor until December 1951.
Korean War
After completing advanced infantry training in February 1952, he was ordered to Korea where he was assigned duty as a forward observer with the 4.2? Mortar Company, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. For his service in Korea, he was awarded the Silver Star, the Purple Heart with Gold Star in lieu of a second Purple Heart, and the Navy Unit Commendation. He was a promoted to Corporal in March 1952.
Inter-war service
Upon his return to the United States in April 1953, Cpl Howard served as Tactics Instructor, Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Infantry Training Regiment, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, he was promoted to Sergeant in June 1953.
In March 1954, Sgt Howard joined the Marine Detachment on board the USS Oriskany (CVA-34), as a squad leader. The following January, he returned to Camp Pendleton and served as a squad leader, 1st Amphibious Reconnaissance Company. The 1st Amphibious Reconnaissance Company was redesignated 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, and Sgt Howard remained with this unit until September 1957. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant (SSgt) in May 1956. From September 1957 until April 1960, he served as Special Services Chief and a military policeman with Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton.
Transferred to San Francisco, California, SSgt Howard was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division. He served as Special Services Noncommissioned Officer, Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines and later, as a platoon guide and platoon sergeant with Company H, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines.
Reassigned to the Recruit Depot, San Diego, in August 1961, he joined Guard Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion and served as Guard Noncommissioned Officer, Company First Sergeant and administrative man, respectively. He later became Depot Special Service Assistant, Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion there, and served in the latter capacity until October 1964.
The following month, he returned to Camp Pendleton, and was assigned to the 1st Marine Division. He saw duty as Regimental Special Services Noncommissioned Officer with Headquarters Battery, 11th Marine Regiment and in January 1965, became an instructor, Counterguerrilla Warfare Course, Division Schools Center, Subunit #1, with Headquarters Battalion until March 1966.
From April until June 1966, SSgt Howard served as a platoon leader, with Company C, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division.
[edit] Vietnam War; Medal of Honor actions
Main article: Battle of Hill 488
On the evening of June 13, 1966, SSgt Howard along with his platoon of 15 Marines and 2 Navy corpsmen were dropped behind enemy lines atop Hill 488. The mission of this recon unit was to observe enemy troop movements in the valley and call in air and artillery strikes. Within days, the enemy descended on them in force; on the night of June 15, 1966, a full battalion of Viet Cong (over 300 men) were engaging the squad of 18. After receiving severe wounds from an enemy grenade, Howard distributed ammunition to his men and directed air strikes on the enemy. By dawn, his beleaguered platoon still held their position. During the 12 hours of attack, 200 enemy troops were killed with the loss of 6 American lives.
In addition to being received the Medal of Honor for his actions on Hill 488, for wounds received in action against insurgent Communist forces in Vietnam on June 16, 1966, Howard received a gold star in lieu of a third Purple Heart. Members of Howard's platoon were honored for their actions in this fight ? four Navy Crosses and thirteen Silver Stars.
Post-Vietnam War; Retirement
Upon his return to the United States, he was assigned duty as Battalion Training Noncommissioned Officer, Service Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. Howard retired from the Marine Corps on March 31, 1977 at the rank of first sergeant.
Following his retirement, Howard lived in San Diego, California and worked for the local Veterans Affairs office.
married Theresa Maria Azevedo (1 son and 5 daughters)
Jimmie E. Howard died on November 12, 1993 at his home in San Diego, California. He was buried in the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. (Section O Site 3759)
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