Howard spent most of his younger life in the Vincennes, Indiana area. He graduated from high school in 1962 and then continued his education objectives by earning a BS degree from Indiana University in 1967. This was when Vietnam was starting to really heat up, so Howard signed up with the Army He headed for basic training at Ft Dix in New Jersey. He then headed for more training at Ft Benning that lasted 8 weeks. In April 1968 he was on his way to the war zone in Nam. Becoming a member of the Bravo Company ,1st Battalion 35th Infantry Regiment , part of the Larger, 4th Infantry Division. He was trained as a Light Weapons Specialist, which included the M16 rifle, M79 Grenade launcher, and the M-60 Machine gun. He participated in 7 Combat Helicopter assaults and served as a point man, grenadier, and RTO (radio telephone operator). Their area of operation was in the Central Highlands bordering Laos and Cambodia where his unit sought and engaged the North Vietnamese Army. Howard's Platoon leader found out he had a niche to write, so after six months in the jungle, he was honored to be selected to serve on the personal staff of the 2 star Commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division, Gen. Pepke. That assignment was to be a ghost writer for the General. While serving in Nam, he had the opportunity also to meet General Abrams, who replaced Gen Westy as Supreme Cmndr. In April 1969 he returned stateside as a civilian and married his wife Dolores. With 46 years of marriage, they have been blessed with a daughter Karen, a son Matthew, and 5 grandchildren. Howard has never taken the uniform off and is one of our most active Post members, serving many positions from All-State Commander to volunteering to be the Quartermaster.