The Forgotten Legacy Of One Of The Most Decorated War Heroes In US History Is Leaving Us In Awe
As American soldiers pour into southeast Asia determined to turn the tide of the Vietnam War, one man is about to distinguish himself above the rest. Single-handedly taking out entire crews, dragging his comrades to safety, and defeating the enemy against all odds, Colonel Robert Howard is a force to be reckoned with. But today, few are aware of his heroics.
A controversial war
Unlike the war heroes who fought in the First and Second World Wars, Howard earned his stripes on a far more controversial battlefield. And while he was fighting the North Vietnamese Army in the jungles of Cambodia and Laos, thousands of Americans were marching on Washington, demanding an end to the carnage being wrought in their name.
Bonfide hero
When Howard finally returned to America, then, there were no great parades or television broadcasts celebrating his honorable deeds. But that doesn’t change the fact that he was a bonafide hero, nominated for the Medal of Honor on three separate occasions. In fact, he is one of the most decorated U.S. soldiers of all time.
Out of the spotlight
So why isn’t Howard a household name? While circumstances might have kept him out of the spotlight at the time, there are still many who remember his exploits during the Vietnam War. And a glance through his military career makes it clear exactly why he was regarded as a hero — even to those embroiled in the conflict themselves.
World War II
Born in the Alabama city of Opelika on July 11, 1939, Howard came into the world just two years before America entered World War II. In that conflict, his father and four of his uncles signed up to fight, taking to the skies with the U.S. airborne units. And it wasn’t long before the future colonel decided to follow in their stead.
