GUNNERY SERGEANT
JIMMIE EARL HOWARD, USMC (DECEASED)

 

Medal of Honor Citation

Gunnery Sergeant Jimmie E. Howard, a Marine staff noncommissioned officer who led an eighteen-man reconnaissance patrol in a fierce battle against a battalion of Viet Cong in June 1966, was the sixth Marine to be awarded the Nation’s highest honor for heroism in combat in Vietnam. The Medal of Honor was presented by President Lyndon B. Johnson in White House ceremonies on 21 August 1967.

Jimmie Earl Howard was born 27 July 1929, in Burlington, Iowa, and graduated from high school there in 1949. He attended the University of Iowa for one year prior to enlisting in the Marine Corps on 12 July 1950.

He received recruit training with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. He was promoted to private first class upon graduation from recruit training in January 1951, then remained at the Recruit Depot as a drill instructor until December 1951.

After completing advanced infantry training in February 1952, he was ordered to Korea where he was assigned duty as a forward observer with the 4.2” Mortar Company, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. For his service in Korea, he was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the Purple Heart with Gold Star in lieu of a second Purple Heart, and the Navy Unit Commendation. He was a promoted to corporal in March 1952.

Upon his return to the United States in April 1953, Cpl Howard served as Tactics Instructor, Headquarters and Service Company, 2d Infantry Training Regiment, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, he was promoted to sergeant in June 1953.

In March 1954, Sgt Howard joined the Marine Detachment on board the USS Oriskany (CVA-34), as a squad leader. The following January, he returned to Camp Pendleton and served as a squad leader, 1st Amphibious Reconnaissance Company. The 1st Amphibious Reconnaissance Company was redesignated 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, and Sgt Howard remained with this unit until September 1957. He was promoted to staff sergeant in May 1956. From September 1957 until April 1960, he served as Special Services Chief and a military policeman with Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton.

Transferred to San Francisco, California, SSgt Howard was assigned to the 3d Marine Division. He served as Special Services Noncommissioned Officer, Headquarters and Service Company, 2d Battalion (7th Marines), 9th Marines and later, as a platoon guide and platoon sergeant with Company H, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines.

Reassigned to the Recruit Depot, San Diego, in August 1961, he joined Guard Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion and served as Guard Noncommissioned Officer, Company First Sergeant and administrative man, respectively. He later became Depot Special Service Assistant, Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion there, and served in the latter capacity until October 1964.

The following month, he returned to Camp Pendleton, and was assigned to the 1st Marine Division. He saw duty as Regimental Special Services Noncommissioned Officer with Headquarters Battery, 11th Marines and in January 1965, became an instructor, Counterquerrilla Warfare Course, Division Schools Center, Subunit #1, with Headquarters Battalion until March 1966.

From April until June 1966, SSgt Howard served as a platoon leader, with Company C, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division. For wounds received in action against insurgent Communist forces in Vietnam on 16 June 1966, he received a gold star in lieu of a third Purple Heart.

Upon his return to the United States, he was assigned duty as Battalion Training Noncommissioned Officer, Service Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. He was promoted to gunnery sergeant in August 1968, and retired from the Marine Corps 31 March 1977. He died on 12 November 1993.

A list of his medals and decorations includes: the Medal of Honor, the Silver Star Medal, the Purple Heart with two Gold Stars in lieu of second and third awards, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Good Conduct Medal with three bronze stars, the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, the Korean Service Medal with four bronze stars, the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star, the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Vietnam War 1965-1973 Medal of Honor