[SandRat]

Medal of Honor recipients retired Army Col. Robert Howard and retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Littrell are flanked by Airmen 1st Class Alyssa Aguilar and Matthew Aguirre as they render honors to the flag during a retreat ceremony April 10 at an air base in Southwest Asia. Colonel Howard and Sergeant Major Littrell visited with members of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing during a Medal of Honor Society tour of the U.S. Air Forces Central area of responsibility. Airmen Aguilar and Aguirre are assigned to the 386th Expeditionary Medical Group. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher)

[jazusamo]

HOWARD, ROBERT L.

Rank: First Lieutenant

Organization: U.S. Army

Company:

Division: 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces

Born: 11 July 1939, Opelika, Ala.

Departed: No

Entered Service At: Montgomery, Ala.

G.O. Number:

Date of Issue:  

Accredited To:

Place / Date: Republic of Vietnam, 30 December 1968

 

 

 

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 3 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.

LITTRELL, GARY LEE

Rank: Sergeant First Class

Organization: U.S. Army

Company: Advisory Team 21

Division: U.S. Army Support Command

Born: 26 October 1944, Henderson, Ky.

Departed: No

Entered Service At: Los Angeles, Calif.

G.O. Number:

Date of Issue:  

Accredited To:

Place / Date: Kontum province, Republic of Vietnam, 4-8 April 1970

 

 

 

Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sfc. Littrell, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, Advisory Team 21, distinguished himself while serving as a Light Weapons Infantry Advisor with the 23d Battalion, 2d Ranger Group, Republic of Vietnam Army, near Dak Seang. After establishing a defensive perimeter on a hill on April 4, the battalion was subjected to an intense enemy mortar attack which killed the Vietnamese commander, 1 advisor, and seriously wounded all the advisors except Sfc. Littrell. During the ensuing 4 days, Sfc Littrell exhibited near superhuman endurance as he single-handedly bolstered the besieged battalion. Repeatedly abandoning positions of relative safety, he directed artillery and air support by day and marked the unit's location by night, despite the heavy, concentrated enemy fire. His dauntless will instilled in the men of the 23d Battalion a deep desire to resist. Assault after assault was repulsed as the battalion responded to the extraordinary leadership and personal example exhibited by Sfc. Littrell as he continuously moved to those points most seriously threatened by the enemy, redistributed ammunition, strengthened faltering defenses, cared for the wounded and shouted encouragement to the Vietnamese in their own language. When the beleaguered battalion was finally ordered to withdraw, numerous ambushes were encountered. Sfc. Littrell repeatedly prevented widespread disorder by directing air strikes to within 50 meters of their position. Through his indomitable courage and complete disregard for his safety, he averted excessive loss of life and injury to the members of the battalion. The sustained extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by Sfc. Littrell over an extended period of time were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him and the U.S. Army.