If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Hemingway, South Carolina
Last Address Fayetteville, North Carolina
Date of Passing May 07, 2007
Location of Interment Lafayette Memorial Park - Fayetteville, North Carolina
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
He served in the USAF, USAF Reserve, and US Army. He retired as a Command Sergeant Major Aug 1, 1987. His total military service years were 1955-1987.
His Silver Star citation: Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Marion S. Howell, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 21 November 1970 as a member of an all-volunteer joint U.S. Army and Air Force raiding force in the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed heliborne assault mission to rescue United States military personnel held as prisoners of war at Son Tay prison in North Vietnam. This valiant effort was motivated by a deep compassion for his imprisoned fellow men-at-arms and by a strong sense of military duty and national pride. Sergeant Howell, Senior Radio Operator for the ground force commander, landed in the objective with the command group of the raiding force. En route to his objective, he came under automatic weapons fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he fearlessly continued his mission of establishing his Command Post position. Still under fire, he operated the air-ground net flawlessly, even though the traffic was greatly intensified by major changes in the plan. When the Command Post was threatened by enemy soldiers, he returned fire without loss of efficiency in his communications duties. His complete disregard for his personal safety and his flawless execution of duty under fire reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 43 (August 9, 1971)
