Unsung War Hero Gets Recognition

(CBS)  Robert Howard was the toughest, bravest cat in the jungle, but he deserved a better war than Vietnam. He was nominated for the Medal of Honor three times for three separate operations behind enemy lines.

But, as CBS News correspondent David Martin reports, when President Nixon finally awarded him the nation's highest honor, the ceremony was actually delayed by anti-war protests. He was a war hero at a time when Americans didn't believe in either the war or its heroes. He was wounded 14 times and has no business being alive.

"Here I come face-to-face with a platoon of enemy soldiers and so I'm standing with my weapon like this, and they fire directly at me and I fell backwards like this, and I didn't get killed," Howard explained.

That was just the beginning of the fire fight for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. It ended when, out of ammunition, he called in a 2,000-pound bomb.

"I said 'I want you to put it right on our position'," Howard said. "It blew us and the enemy up. Next thing I know, we're still alive."

He's still picking shrapnel out of his body.

"I got a piece that's coming out of my side on this side this morning," he said. "It bothers me."

Howard says he doesn't think he'll ever get it all out.

America loves war heroes. There was Sgt. York in WWI, Audie Murphy in WWII. But in Vietnam, there were only scapegoats. Except there's Robert Howard, who single-handedly captured 44 enemy soldiers and brought them back alive for questioning.

"I carried a damn enemy soldier for nine days because he was important and other people were trying to kill him," Howard said.

He did five combat tours in Vietnam and is about to pay his fifth visit to the troops in Iraq.

"I teach them how to survive on the battlefield," he said. "I teach them how to weigh courage and fear. You can balance that."

He can walk through the streets of Manhattan without anyone knowing who he is or what he's done. Until today, when President Obama found out who Robert Howard is. Together, they and the 37 other Medal of Honor winners from WWII, Korea and Vietnam laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Robert Howard is an unknown hero no longer.

[gtolle]

I read about COL Howard at the Special Warfare Center Museum when I reported to Fort Bragg as a new paratrooper in '84. I finally met him in person in 2005 at Fort Lewis during a Special Forces reunion. I regretted the day that I read of his passing. Godspeed COL Howard and thank you for your marvelous service to this country.

[CSM-H]

CW5SFRetired, Like you I met Cpt. Howard in Ranger school (maybe we were in the same squad) And he was such a great teacher and mentor. I also had the Honor of escorting COL Robert Howard around 5th SFG(A) during one of our annual functions where he was the guest of Honor. If ever there was a "real Hero" this man is one of them.

If I could go back in the service today I would still serve under this "old man"!!!! Respectfully, CSM (R) Earnie Holifield

[SFDocBartman]

I met COL Bob Howard in 1990/91 while attending the SF Medical Course and became friends with him. He is a TRUE INSPIRATION TO ALL Special Operations Soldiers - and a true HERO. It was an honor to meet such a great warrior and soldier.

GOD Bless you COL Howard my friend. Recognition well and long deserved.

VR

Bart R. Heimsness

[akrobynhood]

It is wonderful that these Soldiers were finally honored for their service and commitment to our country. However, it seems that Obama can't remember to show proper respect towards the military. He had to be told that he needs to salute those men before he leaves. So once again I am led to believe that this man has absolutely no respect for our military. Of course that is what the liberals wanted, they didn't want someone with a military background, someone that understood the military and could defend this country.

[PFMinTN]

What the article does not say is that Col. Howard is a wonderful Christian.
I met him at our church years ago. We were blessed by his presence.
A mutual friend let me know about this article - here is what she wrote: " I remember him well and one conversation specifically. He was so obviously where God called him to be and when I talked with him he was home on leave for a while from some injuries... but NEVER a word of complaint.. but also not a phony strength.. honest and real. I had/ have great respect for this brother in Christ. "
God bless Col Howard and our other brave soldiers who serve our country so faithfully.

[Aldymac]

It's the protestors who keep any of the last three wars going far longer than they would normally last, protestors give our enemys encouragement to hang in there,kill more Americans. Protestors are responsible for thousands of American war deaths, I hope they are proud of themselves.
I also am a Viet Nam veteran, the only one I ever shunned was one by the name of John Kerry, he turned his back on those still in a combat zone, and helped kill Americans. Now he is helping to destroy our nation.
Semper Fi

[CW5SFRetired]

COL Robert Howard is a true patriot, warrior and combat leader who consistently put his life on the line when lesser men hid behind draft deferments or protested the war because they were too damn scared to serve their country so the hid behind anti war rhetoric to protect their selves. I had the privilege of meeting him as a young ranger when I arrived in 2/75 and then later when he graded my squad in ranger school. Then Captain Howard?s mission and goals were to pass on his knowledge and experience learned the hard way; in combat losing fellow soldiers and bleeding for his country to the younger generation of soldier so they could continue to accomplish their mission of protecting this great country. COL Howard did this when it was still not very popular to serve in the military and he continued in this vain through out his military career. I am grateful to him and the other veterans from Vietnam, Korean and WWII who trained and mentored me as what I learned from them saved my ass and my soldier?s lives on more then one occasion in my 30 years of military service to this great nation. COL Howard was never about his medals; in fact he never mentioned anything about them when teaching us how to be warriors. At one time this country would venerate its warriors and protectors; most days now they the real heroes from the battlefields take second place sports and pop culture stars who do nothing more then entertain us. COL Howard and the men and women like him past, present, and in the future serve this nation and its people in harms way while lesser men run, dodge or hid from the responsibility of protecting this country and its citizens. And these warriors protect the rights of those lesser men to protest them, this country, its accomplishments, standards and commitments to freedom and the pursuit of happiness. I am glad that this HERO and COL Howard is a HERO in every sense of the word was finally recognized in a public forum. This country need to recognize and hold high the real hero?s such as COL Howard, other Medal of Honor and valor award recipients before it is too late and the young people stop heading to call of service to this free land in its armed forces. God Bless America, its veterans and especially those who paid the ultimate price for freedom with their very lives.

[NancyLou9]

It's too bad the kids of today, entering today's military, will never know this kind of bravery even if they lived five lifetimes. For kids today, it's all about "them".

I'm grateful this soldier finally obtained the recognition he deserves.

[ranger1948]

If he was in SOG, then he was probably a ranger. I didn't come back bitter, only resigned to this was my cards i was dealt in life. Most of us never talk much about what happened or what we did. Most people don't care or want to know. We never considered ourselves heroes, we were soldiers doing our jobs. I didn't receive my medals until i was ready to retire. Another soldier had asked me about where i had served and what i had done and if i had received any medals. I told him no He did some checking on his own and found out i was supposed to receive them but hadn't. I received them before i retired. Asked if i wanted a ceremony to receiv ethem i said no. I think there are many unsung heroes, some came back some didn't.

[Eddaytona]

It is time to end the canard that those who opposed the war did not honor and support the troops. This is simply not true and is the usual right wing lie that anyone who speaks their mind in loyal opposition to this country's power structure is unpatriotic.

To imply, as this article does, that the medal presentation was hindered by anti-war demonstrators trying to disrupt the presentation is false propaganda. There may have been a demonstration going on outside the White House but it was not directed in any way at Mr. Howard and his breathtaking accomplishments.