Medal of Honor: Robert L. Howard – Vietnam War – Republic of Vietnam – December 1968
Wounded, weaponless, and unable to walk, he refused to abandon his men. Through sheer will and courage, he turned near annihilation into survival.
December 30, 2025
Name: Robert L. Howard
Rank: First Lieutenant
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces
Place: Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Montgomery, Alabama
Born: Opelika, Alabama
Summary of Action
On 30 December 1968, First Lieutenant Robert L. Howard distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism while serving as platoon sergeant of an American–Vietnamese platoon on a mission to rescue a missing American soldier in enemy-controlled territory in the Republic of Vietnam.
Shortly after departing its helicopter landing zone, the platoon was violently attacked by an estimated two-company enemy force. During the opening moments of the engagement, Lieutenant Howard was wounded and his weapon destroyed by a grenade explosion. He immediately observed that his platoon leader had been seriously wounded and lay exposed to enemy fire.
Although unable to walk and without a weapon, Lieutenant Howard crawled through intense enemy fire to reach the wounded officer. While administering first aid and removing the officer’s equipment, an enemy bullet struck an ammunition pouch on the officer’s belt, detonating several magazines. Momentarily forced to seek cover, Lieutenant Howard nevertheless returned and resumed dragging the wounded officer toward friendly positions.
Despite his own wounds, Lieutenant Howard rallied the disorganized platoon into a coherent defensive force. For more than three and a half hours, he crawled from position to position under constant fire, administering first aid, encouraging his men, and directing their fire against the encircling enemy. Through his leadership, combined with supporting aircraft, the platoon successfully repelled repeated enemy assaults.
When rescue helicopters were finally able to land, Lieutenant Howard personally supervised the loading of his men and remained in the bullet-swept landing zone until all were safely aboard. His unwavering devotion to his comrades and his fearless leadership under fire saved the lives of his men and ensured the survival of the platoon.
Medal of Honor Citation
The platoon had left its helicopter landing zone and was moving out on its mission when it was attacked by an estimated 2-company force. During the initial engagement, 1st Lt. Howard was wounded and his weapon destroyed by a grenade explosion. 1st Lt. Howard saw his platoon leader had been wounded seriously and was exposed to fire. Although unable to walk, and weaponless, 1st Lt. Howard unhesitatingly crawled through a hail of fire to retrieve his wounded leader.
As 1st Lt. Howard was administering first aid and removing the officer’s equipment, an enemy bullet struck 1 of the ammunition pouches on the lieutenant’s belt, detonating several magazines of ammunition. 1st Lt. Howard momentarily sought cover and then realizing that he must rejoin the platoon, which had been disorganized by the enemy attack, he again began dragging the seriously wounded officer toward the platoon area.
Through his outstanding example of indomitable courage and bravery, 1st Lt. Howard was able to rally the platoon into an organized defense force. With complete disregard for his safety, 1st Lt. Howard crawled from position to position, administering first aid to the wounded, giving encouragement to the defenders and directing their fire on the encircling enemy. For 3½ hours 1st Lt. Howard’s small force and supporting aircraft successfully repulsed enemy attacks and finally were in sufficient control to permit the landing of rescue helicopters.
1st Lt. Howard personally supervised the loading of his men and did not leave the bullet-swept landing zone until all were aboard safely. 1st Lt. Howard’s gallantry in action, his complete devotion to the welfare of his men at the risk of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
