American Legion Post 50 SAL 50 New York USA
| December 28, 2009 WVOX 1460 AM "Sons of the American Legion Radio Report" with Ken Kraetzer and John Chuhran Story of Medal of Honor Recipient Col. Robert Howard Vietnam Veteran Special Interview: USMA First Class Cadet Christopher Rivers Thank You to our Supporters |
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The "Sons of the American Legion Radio Report" can be heard live on WVOX 1460 AM in
Westchester County and "Around the World" on WVOX.com. The show is regularly held
on every Monday from 2:30 to 3:00 PM.
The host of the program is Kenneth G. Kraetzer, Commander of Sons of the American
Legion in Pelham, NY; Vice Commander for Westchester County, and Vice Commander for
New York State.
The co-host on this segment was John Chuhran, a New Rochelle based PR executive and
Sons of the American Legion member.
The Sons of the American Legion Report is also presented on select Thursday evenings
from 6 PM to 7 PM as part of Aaron Kershaw's On the Inside Radio Report. On holidays,
calls from deployed troops are presented on "Good Morning Westchester" with host Bob
Marrone.
Shows are promoted on "Facebook", check page for Ken Kraetzer
USMA First Class Cadet Christopher Rivers from Naugatuck, CT
at Army - Navy Game
at Army - Navy Game
Robert L. Howard a Medal of Honor winner and one of the most highly decorated
soldiers from the Vietnam War died December 23rd at age 70 in Waco, Texas.
Bob Howard was in a hospice in Waco and he had been there for the past three weeks with
pancreatic cancer and he died at about noon today.
Retired Army Col. Robert Howard was a constant presence on the US military scene even
after he retired and he always took part in many patriotic events and helped honor the
wounded soldiers at Purple Heart Ceremonies.
He was born July 11, 1939 in Opelika, Alabama, and served in the Army from 1956 to 1992.
He served five tours in Vietnam and was a Sergeant First Class in the Special Forces on
December 30, 1968 when he rallied his troops against 250 enemy soldiers despite being
outnumbered and unable to walk himself. He was injured from grenade blasts and he was
still the last man to board the helicopter out of there.
Below is the citation describing the events of Dec. 30, 1968, that earned then-Sergeant
First Class Howard the nation’s highest military honor while serving in the Republic of
Vietnam as a member of the Army’s 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special
Forces:
"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."
Col. Robert L. Howard retired as a full colonel in 1992 after 36 years of service to his
country. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
soldiers from the Vietnam War died December 23rd at age 70 in Waco, Texas.
Bob Howard was in a hospice in Waco and he had been there for the past three weeks with
pancreatic cancer and he died at about noon today.
Retired Army Col. Robert Howard was a constant presence on the US military scene even
after he retired and he always took part in many patriotic events and helped honor the
wounded soldiers at Purple Heart Ceremonies.
He was born July 11, 1939 in Opelika, Alabama, and served in the Army from 1956 to 1992.
He served five tours in Vietnam and was a Sergeant First Class in the Special Forces on
December 30, 1968 when he rallied his troops against 250 enemy soldiers despite being
outnumbered and unable to walk himself. He was injured from grenade blasts and he was
still the last man to board the helicopter out of there.
Below is the citation describing the events of Dec. 30, 1968, that earned then-Sergeant
First Class Howard the nation’s highest military honor while serving in the Republic of
Vietnam as a member of the Army’s 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special
Forces:
"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."
Col. Robert L. Howard retired as a full colonel in 1992 after 36 years of service to his
country. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
Thank you to WVOX, our listeners, guests, veterans and members of the US military for
allowing us to tell the story of veterans and the active military.
John Chuhran and Ken Kraetzer
Sons of American Legion
allowing us to tell the story of veterans and the active military.
John Chuhran and Ken Kraetzer
Sons of American Legion