Staff Sergeant Jimmie E. Howard led an eighteen-man recon team against a North Vietnamese Army Battalion during a mission in 1966. Howard was awarded the Medal of Honor for the action which later became known as "Howard's Hill". He was the sixth Marine to serve in Vietnam to be awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism.
Born on 27 July, 1929 in Burlington, Iowa, he enlisted in the Marine Corps on 12 July, 1950. Upon Completion of Advanced Infantry Training Howard was ordered to Korea in February 1952. He was assigned as a forward observer with the 4.2" Mortar Company, 1st Marine Regiment. Howard was awarded the both the Silver Star and the Purple Heart with Gold Star for his service during the Korean War.
Upon his return to the United States in 1953, Cpl Howard served as a Tactics instructor at the Infantry Training Regiment, Camp Pendleton, CA where he was promoted to Sergeant.
During the remainder of the 1950s and early 1960s Howard served in a variety of billets including: Squad Leader, 1st Amphibious Reconnaissance Company (1st Force), MP Headquarters Battalion, 1stMARDIV and a Platoon Sergeant in 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines. He also served as a Counterguerrilla Warfare instructor with 1st Marine Division Schools from 1965-1966. From April-June 1966, Howard served as a Platoon Leader in 1st Recon Battalion, 1st Marine Division. On 13 June, 1966, SSgt Howard and his Platoon (15 Marines, 2 Corpsman) were inserted behind enemy lines on Hill 488 in order to observe enemy troop movement in the valley below and call in Air and Artillery strikes. After two days, the enemy determined their location and attacked in force. During darkness on 15 June a 300 North Vietnamese Army Battalion attacked Howard and his 17 man Recon Patrol. Howard and his Marines held their position during the 12 hour attack killing approximately 200 NVA. Howard's force suffered six killed in action. What is unique about this action is that every member of Howard's force was decorated for heroism. Two (2) Navy Crosses and fifteen(15) Silver Stars were awarded to Howard's Marines and Sailors. Howard received his fourth Purple Heart and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. Jimmie E. Howard retired from the Marine Corps on 31 March, 1977 as a First Sergeant. He passed away on 12 November 1993 and is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.
The USS Howard (DDG-83), Arleigh Burke Class destroyer, is named in his honor.
Medal of Honor Citation:
The President of the United States in the name of the Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
GUNNERY SERGEANT JIMMIE E. HOWARD UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a Platoon Leader, Company "C", First Reconnaissance Battalion, First Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, in action against communist insurgent forces in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 16 June 1966. During the night Gunnery Sergeant (then Staff Sergeant) Howard's platoon of eighteen men was assaulted by a numerically superior force consisting of a well-trained North Vietnamese Battalion employing heavy small arms fire, automatic weapons and accurate weapon fire. Without hesitation he immediately organized his platoon to personally supervise the precarious defense of Hill 488. Utterly oblivious to the unrelenting fury of hostile enemy weapons fire and hand grenades he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire while directing the operation of his small force. As the enemy attack progressed and the enemy fire increased in volume and accuracy and despite his mounting casualties, Gunnery Sergeant Howard continued to set an example of calmness and courage. Moving from position to position, he inspired his men with dynamic leadership and courageous fighting spirit until he was struck and painfully wounded by fragments from an enemy hand grenade. Unable to move his legs and realizing that the position was becoming untenable, he distributed his ammunition to the remaining members of his platoon and skillfully directed friendly aircraft and artillery strikes with uncanny accuracy upon the enemy. Dawn found the beleaguered force diminished by five killed and all but one wounded. When rescue helicopters proceeded to Gunnery Sergeant Howard's position, he directed them away from his badly mauled force and called additional air strikes and directed devastating small arms fire on the enemy thus making the landing zone secure as possible. His valiant leadership and courageous fighting spirit served to inspire the men of his platoon to heroic endeavor in the face of overwhelming odds, and reflected the highest credit upon Gunnery Sergeant Howard, the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
/S/ LYNDON B. JOHNSON
