Ensign Howell was a pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter with Fighter Squadron 24 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Boxer (CV-21), Carrier Air Group Two. On 29 September 1950, after completing a raid on Uijongbu, Korea, his aircraft was struck by ground fire. He parachuted to the ground and was taken prisoner. He was killed on 2 October 1950.

Howell was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.