{{Short description|American Army Special Forces officer}} {{About|the U.S. Army soldier|the murderer|Murder of Hannah Williams}} {{Infobox military person |name= Robert L. Howard |image= Col howard.jpg |image_size= |alt= |caption= Colonel Robert L. Howard |nickname= |birth_date= {{birth date|1939|7|11}} |birth_place= Opelika, Alabama, U.S. |death_date= {{death date and age|2009|12|23|1939|7|11}} |death_place= Waco, Texas, U.S. |burial_place= Arlington National Cemetery Section 7A Grave 138 |allegiance= United States |branch= United States Army |service_years= 1956–1992 |rank= Colonel |service_number= |unit= 101st Airborne Division<br/>5th Special Forces Group<br/>MACV-SOG<br/>Special Operations Command Korea |commands= |battles= Vietnam War |awards= Medal of Honor<br/>Distinguished Service Cross<br/>Silver Star<br/>Defense Superior Service Medal<br/>Legion of Merit (4)<br/>Bronze Star Medal (4)<br/>Purple Heart (8) |relations= |other_work= Department of Veterans Affairs }} '''Robert Lewis Howard''' (July 11, 1939 – December 23, 2009) was a United States Army Special Forces officer and recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War. He was wounded 14 times over 54 months of combat, was awarded the Medal of Honor, eight Purple Hearts, a Distinguished Service Cross,{{efn|He initially was awarded a second Distinguished Service Cross, but this was later rescinded and upgraded to the Medal of Honor<ref>{{cite web|title=Upgraded or Revoked Awards of The Distinguished Service Cross|url=http://www.homeofheroes.com/members/02_DSC/indexes/4_rvn/dsc_rvnrevoked.html|website=Homeofheroes.com|accessdate=October 9, 2015|archive-date=July 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702152905/http://www.homeofheroes.com/members/02_DSC/indexes/4_rvn/dsc_rvnrevoked.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>}} a Silver Star, and four Bronze Stars.
Howard was nominated for the Medal of Honor three times over a 13-month period but received lesser medals for the first two nominations, which were for actions performed in Cambodia where the U.S. was fighting covertly. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on December 30, 1968, his third nomination. He retired from the United States Army after 36 years of service as a full colonel. He was one of the most decorated soldiers in the Vietnam War and was "said to be the most decorated service member in the history of the United States".
Howard died as a result of pancreatic cancer, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on February 22, 2010.
==Military career==
thumb|upright=1.4|Grave at Arlington National Cemetery Howard enlisted in the United States Army in 1956 at Montgomery, Alabama and retired as colonel, Army Special Forces, in 1992.
Howard's service in Vietnam included assignments with 1-327th Airborne Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, 5th Special Forces Group and MACV-SOG
As a Staff Sergeant of the highly classified Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG), Howard was recommended for the Medal of Honor on three occasions for three individual actions during thirteen months spanning 1967–1968. The first two nominations were downgraded to a Silver Star and the Distinguished Service Cross due to the covert and top secret nature of the operations in which Howard participated.
As a Sergeant First Class of the SOG, he risked his life during a rescue mission in Cambodia on December 30, 1968, while second in command of a platoon-sized Hatchet Force that was searching for missing American soldier Robert Scherdin for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.<ref name=Plaster>{{cite book|last=Plaster|first=John|title=SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam|publisher=Berkley|year=1998|isbn=978-0451195081}}</ref>{{rp|205–6}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/robert-l-howard|title=Vietnam War - U.S. Army Robert L. Howard|publisher=Congressional Medal of Honor Society|accessdate=11 January 2021}}</ref> He learned of the award over a two-way radio while under enemy fire, immediately after being wounded, resulting in one of his eight Purple Hearts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.marines.mil/unit/hqmc/Pages/2006/Medal%20of%20Honor%20recipients%20make%20special%20visit.aspx |title=Medal of Honor recipients make special visit |date=November 19, 2006 |first=Lance Cpl. Ben |last=Eberle |accessdate=2010-02-24 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604113029/http://www.marines.mil/unit/hqmc/Pages/2006/Medal%20of%20Honor%20recipients%20make%20special%20visit.aspx |archivedate=June 4, 2011 }}</ref>
Howard was wounded 14 times during a 54-month period in the Vietnam War. For his distinguished service, Howard received a direct appointment from Master Sergeant to First Lieutenant in December 1969.
Howard graduated from Ranger School class 7–73 in May 1973 and served with the 2nd Ranger Battalion at Fort Lewis, Washington as company commander. From 1977 to 1978 he served as Mountain Ranger Training instructor.
Howard later served as officer-in-charge of Special Forces training at Camp Mackall, near Ft. Bragg, N.C., and later, commanding the Mountain Ranger Training Camp at Dahlonega, Georgia
Howard graduated from the National War College, Class 1987–1988.
He received two master's degrees during his Army career which spanned 1956 to 1992. Howard retired as a colonel in 1992.<ref name="militarytimes.com">Associated Press, "[http://militarytimes.com/news/2009/12/ap_colonel_dies_122309/ Decorated Army colonel, MoH recipient dies]", ''Military Times'', December 24, 2009.</ref>
He was one of the most decorated soldiers in the Vietnam War.<ref>{{cite news|title=Col. Robert L. Howard dies at 70; Medal of Honor recipient|newspaper=The LA Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-xpm-2009-dec-29-la-me-robert-howard29-2009dec29-story.html|date=29 December 2009|accessdate=10 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Robert Howard, Decorated Serviceman, Dies at 70|newspaper=The New York Times|author=Richard Goldstein|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/25/us/25howard.html|date=24 December 2009|accessdate=10 January 2021}}</ref> ''NBC News'' said that Howard may have been the most highly decorated American soldier of the modern era,<ref name=NBC>{{cite news|title=Medal of Honor: Robert Howard 1939–2009|publisher=NBC News|date=23 December 2009}}</ref> while KWTX-TV states that he was "said to be the most decorated service member in the history of the United States".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kwtx.com/content/news/Two-of-most-decorated-soldiers-in-history-had-ties-to-Central-Texas-484775521.html|title=Two of most decorated soldiers in history had ties to Central Texas|publisher=KWTX TV|author=Paul J. Gately|date=7 June 2018|accessdate=10 January 2021}}</ref> John Plaster in his 1998 book ''SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam'' states that Howard "remains to this day the most highly decorated American soldier."<ref name=Plaster/>{{rp|204}}
==Later life== His residence was in Texas and he spent much of his free time working with veterans until the time of his death. He also took periodic trips to Iraq to visit active duty troops.<ref name=NBC/>
Howard died of pancreatic cancer at a hospital in Waco, Texas, on December 23, 2009. He was survived by four children and five grandchildren.<ref name="militarytimes.com"/><ref>[http://www.star-telegram.com/238/story/1851580.html Col. Robert Lewis Howard, believed to be nation's most decorated soldier, dies at 70] ''Star-Telegram'', Associated Press story. Retrieved on December 24, 2009.</ref> His funeral was in Arlington National Cemetery on February 22, 2010.<ref>Horst, Kaitlin, Arlington National Cemetery Public Affairs [https://www.army.mil/article/34849/ "Col. Robert L. Howard laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery"]. Retrieved on October 26, 2014.</ref>
==Legacy== In 2014, Howard was announced as the recipient of United States Special Operations Command's Bull Simons award for his "lifetime achievements in Special Operations".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.socom.mil/News/Pages/MedalofHonorrecipient,SpecialOperationslegendreceivesUSSOCOM%E2%80%99s2014BullSimonsAward.aspx |title=Medal of Honor recipient, Special Operations legend receives USSOCOM's 2014 Bull Simons Award |author=Mike Bottoms|publisher=United States Special Operations Command Public Affairs |date=2014-05-27 |accessdate=June 7, 2014}}</ref>
In April 2017 a building at the Rowe Training Facility on Camp Mackall was named Howard Hall in his honor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fayobserver.com/news/20170427/special-forces-legend-medal-of-honor-recipient-honored-in-building-dedication-at-camp-mackall|title=Special Forces legend, Medal of Honor recipient honored in building dedication at Camp Mackall|publisher=Fayette Observer|author=Drew Brooks|date=27 April 2017|accessdate=10 January 2021}}</ref> The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs named its fourth State Veterans Home, constructed in 2012 in Pell City, Alabama, in Howard's honor.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=n.d. |title=Colonel Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home |url=https://va.alabama.gov/vets-home-program/robert-howard-state-veterans-home/ |website=Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs |access-date=September 17, 2025}}</ref>
==Medal of Honor citation== {{quote box|The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
130px|center {{center|FIRST LIEUTENANT <br/>'''ROBERT L. HOWARD''' <br/>UNITED STATES ARMY}} for service as set forth in the following CITATION: <blockquote> 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 3{{frac|1|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.
General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 16 (March 24, 1971)
Action Date: December 30, 1968
Service: Army
Regiment: 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Division: 1st Special Forces </blockquote>}}
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==Distinguished Service Cross citation== {{quote box|70px|center {{center |'''Robert L. Howard'''<br> Service: Army<br> Division: 1st Special Forces<br> GENERAL ORDERS:<br> General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2018 (May 2, 1968)<br> Citation:}} The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant First Class Robert Lewis Howard (ASN: RA-14628152), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Command and Control (Central), 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant First Class Howard distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 November 1967, as Special Forces Advisor to a joint American and Vietnamese reconnaissance patrol conducting a search mission near the Laotian border. His patrol discovered a huge rice and ammunition cache surrounded by an enemy bunker complex. Sergeant Howard led a small team to provide security while the remainder of the unit began to destroy the stored supplies. His team encountered four North Vietnamese Army soldiers, and Sergeant Howard killed them with a fierce burst of rifle fire. He and his men were immediately pinned down by a murderous curtain of fire which erupted from a nearby enemy machine gun position. With complete disregard for his safety, Sergeant Howard crawled toward the emplacement and killed a North Vietnamese sniper who was firing at him as he maneuvered. He then charged the bunker, eliminating its occupants with rifle fire. A second machine gun position unleashed a savage barrage. Sergeant Howard moved his troops to a covered location and directed an air strike against the fortified bunker. While assessing the bomb damage, Sergeant Howard was fired upon by North Vietnamese soldiers in the bunker who had survived the blasts. Pinned down directly outside the strongpoint with a blazing machine gun barrel only six inches above his head, he threw a hand grenade into the aperture of the emplacement, killing the gunners and temporarily silencing the weapon. He then dashed to his team's location and secured a light anti-tank weapon. As the enemy machine gun resumed firing, Sergeant Howard stood up amid a withering hail of bullets, fired his weapon, and completely demolished the position. His fearless and determined actions in close combat enabled the remainder of the patrol to destroy the enemy cache. Sergeant First Class Howard's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Action Date: 21-Nov-67
Service: Army
Rank: Sergeant First Class
Company: Command and Control (Central)
Regiment: 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Division: 1st Special Forces}}
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==Silver Star citation== {{quote box|70px|center {{center |'''Robert L. Howard'''<br> Service: Army<br> Regiment: 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)<br> Division: 1st Special Forces<br> GENERAL ORDERS:<br> Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 371 (February 3, 1969)<br> Citation:}} The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Robert Lewis Howard (ASN: RA-14628152), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant First Class Howard distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions from 12 to 20 November 1968, during an operation deep within enemy-held territory. As his platoon was being inserted into the area, it came under heavy fire from all directions. Sergeant Howard leaped from his helicopter before it touched down and began to return fire, providing protection for his men while they dismounted and moved safely off the landing zone. Seeing two enemy soldiers in a wood line, he charged their position and killed them both. When the unit was attacked by a company-size force on the night of 16 November, he went to each platoon member, encouraging them and directing their fire while completely exposing himself to the communist barrage. Two days later while Sergeant Howard was leading the point element, the platoon was ambushed by an estimated two North Vietnamese Army companies. He skillfully maneuvered his men so that the enemy was caught in a deadly crossfire and the ambush was broken. The following day, Sergeant Howard had again taken the point element when he observed an estimated battalion-size ambush. Although wounded in the initial exchange of fire, he exposed himself to the aggressors to place effective fire on them and enable his platoon to take cover. Moving from position to position, he administered first aid to the wounded and set up a landing zone so that they could be evacuated. As the first ambulance helicopter came in, it was struck by hostile machine gun fire and burst into flames. Sergeant Howard, although wounded a second time, ran one hundred and fifty meters to where the ship had crashed and rescued a trapped pilot from the blazing wreckage. Once the entire crew was free from the aircraft, he led them back to the platoon while providing covering fire. Three hours later another helicopter succeeded in landing and the casualties were evacuated, but Sergeant Howard refused to leave. The next morning, he saw three North Vietnamese soldiers maneuvering towards his element and immediately opened fire, killing them.<ref>[https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/2769 Robert Lewis Howard Silver Star medal citation]</ref>}}
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==Awards and decorations== {| width="100%" |- | valign="top" width="50%" | {| class="wikitable" width="100%" |- !U.S. Awards and Decorations |- style="background:#ccccff;" align=center |Personal awards |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Medal of Honor ribbon.svg|width=60}} Medal of Honor |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Distinguished Service Cross ribbon.svg|width=60}} Distinguished Service Cross |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Silver Star ribbon.svg|width=60}} Silver Star |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=US_Defense_Superior_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=60}} Defense Superior Service Medal |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=oak|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=60}} Legion of Merit with 3 oak leaf clusters |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=oak|other_device=v|ribbon=Bronze Star ribbon.svg|width=60}} Bronze Star with "V" device & 3 oak leaf clusters |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=7|type=oak|ribbon=Purple Heart ribbon.svg|width=60}} Purple Heart with 7 oak leaf clusters |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=oak|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters |- |{{Ribbon devices|number= |type=numeral|other_device=|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}<span style="position:relative; top: 1px; left: -46px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">13px</span><span style="position:relative; top: 1px; left: -28px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">11px</span> Air Medal with "V" device & award numerals 3 |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Service Commendation ribbon.svg|width=60}} Joint Service Commendation |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=6|type=oak|other_device=v|ribbon=Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} Army Commendation Medal with "V" device & 6 oak leaf clusters |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Us jointservachiev rib.svg|width=60}} Joint Service Achievement Medal |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Achievement Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} Army Achievement Medal |} | valign="top" width="50%" | {| class="wikitable" width="100%" |- !U.S. Awards and Decorations |- style="background:#ccccff;" align=center |Unit awards |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=United States Army and U.S. Air Force Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|width=60}} Presidential Unit Citation with oak leaf cluster |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=60}} Navy Unit Commendation |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=60}} Meritorious Unit Commendation |- style="background:#ccccff;" align=center |Service awards |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=GCM_4.jpg|width=60}} Good Conduct Medal with 4 Good Conduct Loops |- style="background:#ccccff;" align=center |Campaign & Service awards |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 3 service stars |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} Vietnam Service Medal with 3 service stars |- style="background:#ccccff;" align=center |Service & Training awards |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=ResMedRib.svg|width=60}} Armed Forces Reserve Medal |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=NCO Professional Development Ribbon.svg|width=60|alt=}}<span style="position:relative; top: 1px; left: -36px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">11px</span> NCO Professional Development with bronze award numeral 2 |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Service Ribbon.svg|width=60}} Army Service Ribbon |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Overseas Service Ribbon.svg|width=60}} Army Overseas Service Ribbon |} |} {| width="100%" |- | valign="top" width="50%" | {| class="wikitable" width="100%" |- !U.S. Awards and Decorations |- style="background:#ccccff;" align="center" |Badges and tabs |- |100px Special Forces Tab |- |80px Ranger Tab |- |120px Combat Infantryman Badge |- |120px Expert Infantryman Badge |- |120px Basic Aircrew Badge |- |80px Master Parachutist Badge |- |80px Air Assault Badge |- |80px Pathfinder Badge |- |80px Expert Marksmanship Badge w/ 2 weapon bars |} | valign="top" width="50%" | {| class="wikitable" width="100%" |- !Foreign Awards and Decorations |- style="background:#ccccff;" align=center |Individual & Unit awards |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Sam IL Security Medal Ribbon.png|width=60}} Republic of Korea Order of National Security Merit (Sam-Il Medal) |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Vietnamese Gallantry Cross ribbon.svg|width=60}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -28px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">12px</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -16px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">12px</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -53px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">12px</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -41px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">12px</span> Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star (Corps), Silver Star (Division) and 2 Bronze Stars (Regiment/Brigade) |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Vietnam Wound Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} Republic of Vietnam Wound Medal |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal ribbon-First Class.svg|width=60}} Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal, 1st Class |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Vietnam Staff Service Medal ribbon-Second Class.svg|width=60}} Republic of Vietnam Staff Service Medal, 2nd Class |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Vietnam Civil Actions Medal ribbon-First Class.svg|width=60}} Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal, 1st Class |- |60px Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation |- |60px Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg|width=60}} Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal |- style="background:#ccccff;" align=center |Badges |- |75px French Parachutist Badge |- |75px Republic of Vietnam Master Parachute Badge |- |25px Republic of Vietnam Ranger Badge |- | Thai Master Parachute Wings |- |25px Korean Master Parachute Badge |- |25px Thai Balloonist Badge |} |}
==See also== {{Portal|Biography}} *List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War *List of French Paratrooper Units
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Further reading== *''Secret Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines with the Elite Warriors of SOG'', by John Plaster
==External links== {{commons category}} * {{Cite web |accessdate=October 5, 2010 |url=http://homeofheroes.com/moh/citations_living/vn_a_howard.html |title=Presentation of the Medal of Honor}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Howard, Robert L.}} Category:1939 births Category:2009 deaths Category:Deaths from pancreatic cancer in Texas Category:People from Opelika, Alabama Category:Military personnel from Waco, Texas Category:United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War Category:United States Army colonels Category:Members of the United States Army Special Forces Category:Recipients of the Air Medal Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit Category:Recipients of the Silver Star Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States) Category:United States Army Medal of Honor recipients Category:American recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam) Category:Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal Category:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery Category:Vietnam War recipients of the Medal of Honor