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Vietnam War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Lance Corporal James Donnie Howe, U.S. Marine Corps
James Donnie Howe, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in May 1970, was born 17 December 1948, in Six Mile, Pickens, South Carolina. He attended Six Mile and Pickens Elementary Schools, graduated from Cateeche Elementary School in Cateeche, South Carolina, in June 1960, and then attended Liberty Junior High School in Liberty, South Carolina, from September 1960 until June 1961.
He was employed by Lloyds Incorporated, a paint contractor, in Easley, South Carolina, prior to enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 31 October 1968, in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He was discharged on 29 December 1968, and enlisted in the regular Marine Corps, 30 December 1968.
Private Howe received recruit training with the Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, and individual combat training with the 2d Infantry Training Battalion, 1st Infantry Training Regiment, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Promoted to private first class, 4 June 1969, he was transferred later that month to the Republic of Vietnam. He served as a rifleman and later, as a radio operator with Company I, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was promoted to lance corporal, 27 December 1969.
In the early morning hours of 6 May 1970, while serving as a rifleman in operations against insurgent Communist aggression in Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, he was mortally wounded.
A complete list of his medals and decorations includes: the Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Corporal Howe was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Odis S. Howe of Liberty, South Carolina, and four sisters.
CITATION:
Rank and organization: Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company I, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 6 May 1970 Entered service at: Fort Jackson, South Carolina Born: 17 December 1948, Pickens, South Carolina Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifleman with Company I, during operations against enemy forces. In the early morning hours L/Cpl. Howe and 2 other marines were occupying a defensive position in a sandy beach area fronted by bamboo thickets. Enemy sappers suddenly launched a grenade attack against the position, utilizing the cover of darkness to carry out their assault. Following the initial explosions of the grenades, L/Cpl. Howe and his 2 comrades moved to a more advantageous position in order to return suppressive fire. When an enemy grenade landed in their midst, L/Cpl. Howe immediately shouted a warning and then threw himself upon the deadly missile, thereby protecting the lives of the fellow marines. His heroic and selfless action was In keeping with the finest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Service. He valiantly gave his life in the service of his country.
Courtesy of Find A Grave
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