Jimmie Earl Howard
First Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

First Sergeant Jimmie Earl Howard (27 July 1929 - 12 November 1993) was a U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant when he led an eighteen-man reconnaissance patrol in a fierce battle against a battalion of Viet Cong in June 1966. As a result of his heroic actions, Howard became the sixth U.S. Marine to be awarded the Nation's highest honor for heroism in combat in Vietnam.

Jimmie Earl Howard was born on 27 July 1929, in Burlington, IA, and graduated from high school there in 1949. He attended the University of Iowa for one year prior to enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps on 12 July 1950.

Howard received recruit training with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA. He was promoted to Private First Class upon graduation from recruit training in January 1951, and 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 promoted to Corporal in March 1952.

Inter-War Service

Upon his return to the U.S. in April 1953, Cpl Howard served as Tactics Instructor, Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Infantry Training Regiment, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, CA. 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, CA, 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, Counter-Guerrilla 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.

Actions Leading to Medal of Honor

On the evening of 13 June 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 15 June 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. Members of Howard's platoon were honored for their actions in this fight - four Navy Crosses and thirteen Silver Stars.

Medal of Honor

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

The Medal of Honor was presented to Jimmie Earl Howard by President Lyndon B. Johnson in White House ceremonies on 21 August 1967.

Post-Vietnam War; Retirement

Upon his return to the U.S., he was assigned duty as Battalion Training Noncommissioned Officer, Service Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA. Howard retired from the Marine Corps on 31 March 1977, at the rank of First Sergeant.

Following his retirement, Howard continued living in San Diego and worked for the local Veterans Affairs office.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart with 2 Gold Stars in lieu of second and third awards
Navy Unit Commendation
Good Conduct Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star
Korean Service Medal with 4 Bronze Stars
Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star
United Nations Service Medal
Korean Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Honors

The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG-83), named in honor of Jimmie E. Howard, was christened on 20 November 1999 by 1stSgt Howard's widow, Theresa M. Howard.

Death and Burial

Jimmie E. Howard died on 12 November 1993, at his home in San Diego. He is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, CA, in Section O, Grave 3759, GPS (lat/lon): 32.4122 -117.14663.