[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 94 (Thursday, June 27, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING COLONEL ROBERT L. HOWARD-MOH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition 
of the life and accomplishments of Colonel Robert L. Howard and the 
dedication of the Headquarters Building of the 5th Special Forces Group 
(Airborne) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in his honor.
  Colonel Howard retired in 1992 after serving 36 years in the United 
States Army, with more than 33 years on airborne status, and is 
considered one of our Nation's most highly decorated veterans. While 
serving in Vietnam, Colonel Howard received the Medal of Honor on March 
2, 1971 for ``conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action'' while 
on a mission to rescue a missing American soldier in enemy controlled 
territory. He passed away on December 23, 2009 in Waco, Texas.
  Colonel Howard is one of the most impressive people I have met during 
my life. I am proud to have had the honor of working with him. Then-
Captain Howard was my company commander when I was an instructor at the 
Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia.
  Even if you did not know that he had been recommended for the Medal 
of Honor three times, receiving one, he was also a recipient of our 
Nation's second highest decoration, the Distinguished Service Cross, 
and was awarded a Silver Star. And even if you did not know he had been 
wounded fourteen times during 54 months of combat duty and received 
eight Purple Hearts, you would still know he was a real leader.
  Colonel Howard embodied everything there is in a good leader, a fine 
soldier, and a great American. He was someone you would be happy to 
follow at the Airborne School or into combat. He had the upmost respect 
from everyone around him, from junior enlisted personnel, to 
noncommissioned officers, and senior officers.
  In my conversations with him after his retirement from military 
service, he was even more impressive, working for the Department of 
Veterans Affairs as a liaison to other veterans. Combined, he spent 52 
years in government service.
  It was a high honor to have known him and to have served under him. I 
have had the unbelievably good fortune to be part of this memorization 
process, and to know that his legacy will live on in this building.
  Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I believe it is appropriate at this time that 
we honor Colonel Howard's service to our Nation with the dedication of 
this building. His commitment to duty and professionalism is an 
inspiration to all of us.

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