Robert L. Howard’s story sounds like something from a Hollywood war film—but every word of it was true. A Green Beret with the U.S. Army Special Forces, he served more than four years in Vietnam, enduring some of the most brutal combat of the war. Shot, burned, and torn apart by shrapnel, he was wounded 14 times—and each time, he returned to the fight. His relentless courage and refusal to quit, no matter the odds, made him the most decorated American soldier of the Vietnam War.
Howard’s decorations were almost unmatched: eight Purple Hearts, four Bronze Stars, the Silver Star, and the Distinguished Service Cross. His highest honor came with the Medal of Honor—awarded for a mission in which, despite being severely wounded, he risked his life to rescue his team under heavy fire. Astonishingly, he was nominated for the Medal of Honor three times in a single year. Yet beyond the medals, Howard’s legacy lies in his unwavering devotion to his comrades and his embodiment of the soldier’s promise—never to leave a man behind.
Robert Howard and the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Robert Howard was born in Opelika, Alabama in 1939 and enlisted in the US Army in 1956. His first deployment was in 1965, with the 101st Airborne Division. He’d completed a few tours in Vietnam before attending Special Forces training, returning to Vietnam in 1967 as a sergeant first class with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
It was during his time serving in Vietnam that Howard would be recommended for the Medal of Honor – not once, but on three separate occasions. He was only awarded it once. It’s believed the reason he wasn’t given it all three times had to do with his assignment as a staff sergeant with the top secret Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG). The US military didn’t want to draw attention to his work on classified missions.
Presented with the Distinguished Service Cross
On November 27, 1967, Robert Howard was serving as an adviser to a reconnaissance patrol when they unexpectedly stumbled upon an enemy bunker complex near the Laotian border. A fierce firefight erupted, and Howard took cover beside one of the bunkers, only to find himself pinned down under heavy machine gun fire.
Despite the relentless attack, Howard managed to throw a grenade into one of the bunker openings, eliminating all the enemy personnel inside. He then grabbed an anti-tank weapon, “rose up amidst the relentless barrage of bullets, fired his weapon, and completely destroyed the position.” His courageous actions created an opportunity for him and his team to be safely evacuated by helicopter.
For his extraordinary bravery during the battle, Howard was nominated for the Medal of Honor but was ultimately awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
Heroics earned Robert Howard a Silver Star
In November 1968, deep within the jungles of Laos, Robert L. Howard led a covert mission with a Hatchet Platoon from FOB-2, one of the most elite units under MACV-SOG. After days of stealthy movement through enemy territory, the team suddenly fell into a deadly ambush. North Vietnamese troops unleashed a torrent of gunfire and grenades—and even brought forward a Soviet-made PT-76 light tank. Without hesitation, Howard grabbed an anti-tank weapon and destroyed it, an act that almost certainly saved his men from being wiped out.
The situation quickly grew worse. A Medevac helicopter dispatched to extract the wounded was shot down, crashing in flames under heavy enemy fire. Despite already being seriously wounded, Howard sprinted roughly 300 yards across open terrain to the wreckage, dodging bullets the entire way. He dragged both pilots and a gravely injured door gunner to safety, sustaining additional injuries in the process.
Through the long night, the battered platoon fought to hold their position. When dawn broke, Howard led a counterattack—tracking down and eliminating the 37 mm anti-aircraft gun responsible for downing the Medevac. With the threat neutralized, extraction finally became possible.
Though his heroism during that mission ranked among the most extraordinary acts of the Vietnam War, Howard did not receive the Medal of Honor. Instead, he was awarded the Silver Star—one more testament to a soldier whose courage seemed to know no limits.
Third time’s the charm – Robert Howard receives his Medal of Honor
In December 1968, Robert Howard joined a rescue mission to recover Special Forces Sgt. Robert F. Scherdin. Scherdin was part of a 10-man team deployed at the junction of Laos, Cambodia, and South Vietnam. The team had split into two groups, both of which came under enemy attack. Severely wounded, Scherdin was left behind when the patrol was forced to retreat.
The next morning, Lt. James Jerson sent his Special Forces commando platoon, including Howard and a group of Montagnard tribesmen, to rescue Scherdin. Along the way, Jerson and Howard were hit by a remotely detonated mine, seriously injuring them, and the rest of the platoon was attacked by the enemy.
Despite injuries to his legs and hand, Howard moved swiftly through enemy fire to reach Jerson and pull him to safety. A helicopter evacuated the platoon after Howard successfully rescued Jerson, but Jerson later succumbed to his injuries. Scherdin was not found and was declared missing in action.
Howard’s bravery and resilience earned him another recommendation for the Medal of Honor, which was presented to him for having “crawled from position to position, administering first aid to the wounded, giving encouragement to the defenders and directing their fire on the encircling enemy.” President Richard Nixon presented him the medal on March 2, 1971.
Robert Howard’s life following the Vietnam War
Robert Howard spent a total of four and a half years fighting in Vietnam. He served with the US Army for 36 years, 33 of which were with airborne status. Howard retired as a full colonel in 1992, but continued to work with other veterans in some form. He even visited American troops who were stationed in Iraq.
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Howard became the most decorated Green Beret and soldier since World War II. Among the aforementioned decorations, he was also awarded seven Army Commendation Medals, three Air Medals, the Defense Superior Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation and four Legions of Merit.
The Special Forces veteran died of pancreatic cancer on December 23, 2009 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.