Colonel Robert L. Howard: A hero passes and you will most likely not hear a word about it.

One of the most admired heroes among all the heroes who have served in the US Army Special Forces died last month, was laid to rest on Feb. 24th.

The fact that his is not a name at the tip of every citizen’s tongue is a shame, as is the fact that I only learned of his passing through an email. (thanks Cal). Kudos to the Post for this fine obituary, but the fact that this wasn’t a front-page news item on every major news daily in the country speaks volumes.

In this Obama socialist society we live in today, it is good to know there are men and out there who serve the rest of us and protect those things so many of us take for granted. It is too bad we have to learn about them after they have left us when we as a nation could have learned so much from them.

Wounded 14 times in 54 months of combat duty in Vietnam, Robert Howard was awarded 8 Purple Hearts and was believed to be the most decorated living American. Those were real wounds people.....not the John Kerry type....where you nick yourself up enough to get sent home.

Colonel Howard served five tours in Vietnam and is the only soldier in our nation's history to be nominated for the Medal of Honor three times for three separate actions within a thirteen-month period.

He received a direct appointment from Master Sergeant to 1st Lieutenant in 1969, and was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Richard M. Nixon at the White House in 1971.

Colonel Howard is one of America's most decorated soldiers. His other awards for valor include the Distinguished Service Cross - our nation's second highest award, the Silver Star - the third highest award, and eight Purple Hearts. He was the last Vietnam Special Forces Medal of Honor recipient still on active duty when he retired on Sept. 29, 1992.

Interview at the Pritzer Military Library Website.
Read a bit about Howard at one of these links: The Robert L. Howard Tribute Website,
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society Website,
The Washington Post- Medal of Honor recipient Col. Robert L. Howard dies at 70.