NOTAM 11-2011 (Howard) 

Dear Golden Eagles,

I am saddened to report that Colonel Robert E. Howard, Jr., USMC (Ret.) made his last take-off on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His loving wife Peg, four children, Lisa Buchanan, Caroline Coombs, Monty Howard, and May Hollas; brother Monty Howard and his wife Jane, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren survive him. A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, October 22nd, 2011 at 11AM at The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 13112 N. Rockwell Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73142. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to either The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection or Disabled Veteran’s Association (DAV), PO Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301, www.dav.org. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined.

Col Howard joined the Navy as a flying midshipman in 1946, entered flight training in ’49, and earned his wings and commission in the Marine Corps in October 1950. Following a short stint in VMT-2 at MCAS El Toro, CA training in F4U-4’s, he was assigned to VMF-312 and saw combat in Korea, flying from USS Bataan (CVL-29) and shore bases for a total of 105 missions. In ’53 Bob attended Test Pilot School at NAS Patuxent River, MD, Class 10. From ’56-’60, he was the USMC Project officer for the Sidewinder missile at Naval Operational Test Station China Lake, CA and fired a number of missiles at test points between 60-70,000 feet at speeds from 1.5-2.0 mach. Perhaps the main challenge was operating in afterburner for much of the flight, burning 28,000 lbs/hour in the F-104A carrying just 6,000 lbs of fuel.

Col Howard attended the USN Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA and graduated with BS/ MS degrees in Aeronautical Engineering in ’63. He then served as assistant Operations Officer with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. Following a three-year tour with the Joint Planning Group at Headquarters, USMC in Washington, DC where he was Action Officer on JCS matters, Bob attended National War College and received a MS degree in International Affairs in ’69.

Col Howard returned to combat in ’69 serving in Chu Lai, RVN as Operations Officer, Marine Air Group 13, then as Commanding Officer of VMFA-122. Bob flew 330 missions in Vietnam in the F-4B, and was awarded the Legion of Merit with combat ”V”, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and 26 Air Medals for his heroic actions during the Korea and Vietnam conflicts.

Another tour at Headquarters, USMC, this time as Head, Enlisted Assignments, Personnel Department, followed Bob’s Vietnam duty. He completed his exemplary service career as Commanding Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 11 at MCAS El Toro, CA.  Col Howard retired in July 1975.

Bob was proud of his Golden Eagles affiliation, and was an affable and welcome participant at our reunions. An accomplished test pilot and combat aviator, he led by example throughout his career. A veteran of two wars, he served with distinction in both conflicts. He will be missed.

Sadly,

Bill Gureck, Pilot