Col. Robert L. Howard (aka The Real Rambo) was the most decorated soldier / veteran in American history. It’s people like him who make this country GREAT!
This guy was a serious war fighter that played no games with the Vietcong. He racked and stacked bodies during The Vietnam War and was about black ops as it gets.
Col. Robert L. Howard
A Staff Sergeant in MACV-SOG which is a highly classified unit. This man was wounded 14 times during his 54 months of combat. He was actually put in for the Medal of Honor three separate times, but he did not receive either of the first 2 Medal of Honors because the actions that he performed took place in countries where the United States was fighting covertly and The President could not award him the Medal of Honor for actions in Cambodia since we were not supposed to be there to begin with. However he was award the Medal of Honor, 8 Purple Hearts, 1 Distinguished Service Cross, 1 Silver Star, and 4 Bronze Stars.
Actual citation for his actions.
FIRST LIEUTENANT
ROBERT L. HOWARD
UNITED STATES ARMYfor service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Howard (then SFC .), distinguished himself while serving as platoon sergeant of an American-Vietnamese platoon which was on a mission to rescue a missing American soldier in enemy controlled territory in the Republic of Vietnam. 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 31⁄2 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.
Col. Robert Howard died on Dec 23,2009 of pancreatic cancer in Waco, Texas.
Awards and decorations
- Medal of Honor
- Distinguished Service Cross (with one oak leaf cluster)
- Silver Star
- Defense Superior Service Medal
- Legion of Merit (with three oak leaf clusters)
- Bronze Star (with three oak leaf clusters and “V” device)
- Purple Heart (with a silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters)
- Meritorious Service Medal (with two oak leaf clusters)
- Air Medal (with “V” Device and numeral 3. One award for heroism and two for aerial achievement)
- Joint Service Commendation
- Army Commendation Medal (with “V” device and one each silver and bronze oak leaf clusters. 4 awards for valor and 3 for achievement)
- Joint Service Achievement
- Army Achievement
- Good Conduct Medal, 4 Good Conduct Loops (4 awards)
- National Defense Service Medal
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal
- NCO Professional Development Ribbon with 2 device
- Army Overseas Ribbon
- Army Service Ribbon
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, w/3 Service stars (3 awards)
- Army Presidential Unit Citation, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster
- Presidential Unit Citation (United States) 2001, Studies and Observations Group
- Navy Unit Commendation
- Army Meritorious Unit Citation
Foreign decorations
- Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 device
- Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star (Corps citation)
- Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star (Division citation)
- Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star (Regiment or Brigade citation)
- Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal 2nd Award
- Vietnam Wound Medal
- Vietnam Civil Actions Medal 2nd Award
- Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation with Palm, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster (Unit citation)
- Republic of Korea Order of National Security Merit (Samil Medal)
Badges, qualifications and tabs
- Ranger Tab
- Special Forces Tab
- Combat Infantryman Badge
- Aircrew Badge
- Master Parachutist Badge
- Pathfinder Badge
- Air Assault Badge
- Expert Infantryman’s Badge
- Vietnamese Ranger Badge
- Vietnamese Master Parachute Badge
- Thai Master Parachute Wings
- Korean Master Parachute Badge
- Thai Balloonist Badge
- French Parachutist Badge
