Robert L. Howard: The Most Decorated Soldier of the Vietnam War

Robert L. Howard, a dedicated US Army Special Forces soldier, sustained 14 injuries over his 54 months in Vietnam. His exceptional service led to him earning the title of the most decorated soldier of the war and the most highly decorated Green Beret. His many awards included eight Purple Hearts, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, and four Bronze Stars.

Interestingly, he was awarded the Medal of Honor after being nominated for it on three occasions.

Robert Howard and the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

Robert Howard was born in Opelika, Alabama in 1939 and enlisted in the US Army in 1956. His first deployment was in 1965, with the 101st Airborne Division . He'd completed a few tours in Vietnam before attending Special Forces training, returning to Vietnam in 1967 as a sergeant first class with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

It was during his time serving in Vietnam that Howard would be recommended for the Medal of Honor - not once, but on three separate occasions. He was only awarded it once. It's believed the reason he wasn't given it all three times had to do with his assignment as a staff sergeant with the top secret Military Assistance Command, Vietnam - Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG). The US military didn't want to draw attention to his work on classified missions.

Presented with the Distinguished Service Cross

On November 27, 1967, Robert Howard was serving as an adviser to a reconnaissance patrol that stumbled upon an enemy bunker complex near the Laotian border. A fierce firefight erupted between the two sides. Howard positioned himself next to a bunker but found himself pinned down by enemy machine gun fire.

Despite the intense gunfire, Howard managed to throw a grenade into an opening of one of the bunkers, eliminating everyone inside. He then seized an anti-tank weapon and "stood up amid the withering hail of bullets, fired his weapon, and completely demolished the position." This act allowed him and his team to be successfully extracted by a rescue helicopter.

In recognition of his bravery during this battle, Howard was nominated for the Medal of Honor. However, he was ultimately awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Heroics earned Robert Howard a Silver Star

In November 1968, Robert Howard accompanied a FOB-2 Hatchet Platoon on a mission in Laos. After four days, the unit was ambushed by enemy forces, who were supported by a Soviet PT-76 amphibious light tank. Despite facing intense fire, Howard successfully destroyed the tank with an anti-tank rocket.

A Medevac helicopter en route to assist the embattled platoon was brought down by Vietnamese anti-aircraft fire. Although he was wounded, Howard navigated 300 yards through enemy fire to lead the two pilots and a wounded door gunner to safety, suffering more injuries in the process.

Due to continuous Vietnamese anti-aircraft fire, the platoon could not be evacuated until the next day. Howard eventually took out their 37 mm anti-aircraft gun, allowing for their extraction. Despite being recommended for the Medal of Honor once more, Howard was awarded a Silver Star instead.

Third time's the charm - Robert Howard receives his Medal of Honor

In December 1968, Robert Howard joined a rescue team to bring back Special Forces Sgt. Robert F. Scherdin. Scherdin was part of a 10-man team that was dropped at the intersection of Laos, Cambodia and South Vietnam. The team had split into two separate groups, and both were attacked by the enemy. Scherdin became severely wounded and was left behind when the patrol was forced to withdraw.

The next morning, Lt. James Jerson sent his Special Forces commando platoon, which included Howard, and a group of Montagnards tribesmen to rescue Scherdin. On the way, Jerson and Howard were struck by a remotely detonated mine, seriously injuring them both, and the rest of the platoon came under attack by the enemy.

Despite being wounded in the legs and hand, Howard quickly moved through the fire to reach Jenson and drag him to safety. A helicopter rescued the platoon after Howard had successfully brought Jenson to safety. Unfortunately, Jenson later died of his wounds. Scherdin wasn't located and was declared missing in action.

Howard's courage and strength earned him another recommendation for the Medal of Honor, which was presented to him for having "crawled from position to position, administering first aid to the wounded, giving encouragement to the defenders and directing their fire on the encircling enemy." President Richard Nixon awarded him the medal on March 2, 1971.

Robert Howard's life following the Vietnam War

Robert Howard spent a total of four and a half years fighting in Vietnam. He served with the US Army for 36 years, 33 of which were with airborne status. Howard retired as a full colonel in 1992, but continued to work with other veterans in some form. He even visited American troops who were stationed in Iraq .

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Howard became the most decorated Green Beret and soldier since World War II . Among the aforementioned decorations, he was also awarded seven Army Commendation Medals, three Air Medals, the Defense Superior Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation and four Legions of Merit.

The Special Forces veteran died of pancreatic cancer on December 23, 2009 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.