PVT Harold E. Howard

Today we honor and remember PVT Harold E. Howard of the 101st Airborne Division.

Private (PVT) Harold Eugene Howard of Able Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), was born in Los Angeles, California, to Robert A. and Anna E. (Luster) Howard on March 15, 1926. He was their youngest child. Harold had two brothers, Joel A. and Leo M. Howard.

Harold signed up for the draft in Dallas, Polk County, Oregon, on March 18, 1944. At the time, he was a student at Willamina High School, a public high school in Willamina, Oregon. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at Ft. Lewis, Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, on June 8, 1944. Harold volunteered for paratroop duty, and after finishing his stateside training, he was sent overseas in the winter of 1945.

On March 1, 1945, PVT Harold Howard was assigned to Able Company, 506th PIR, from the 11th Replacement Depot, based in Givet, Belgium. At the time, the 101st Airborne Division had just returned for a second rest period at Mourmelon, this time from their combat period at Alsace.

At the beginning of April, the WWII Screaming Eagles were sent to another frontline. The men were sent into Germany and held positions alongside the Rhine River, just south of Düsseldorf. During the night of 11 April, Able Company was sent on a patrol, crossing the Rhine River.

The boats went across unharmed, and the Able Company paratroopers reached the village of Himmelgeist undisturbed, but then all hell broke loose. The Germans shelled the paratrooper’s positions, causing several deaths and severely wounding men.

Later, what was left from the patrol returned to the other side of the Rhine River, together with several German prisoners. Unfortunately, it turned out that Able Company had not only lost four men who were killed in action, but seven paratroopers were also missing in action. These men had drowned in the Rhine River. PVT Howard was one of these paratroopers. He died when WWII was nearing its end, on April 12, 1945.

Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅

Source: 506th PIR April Casualty Report

PVT Harold Howard died at the age of 19. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal. After his initial burial in a temporary military cemetery, he was reburied at Evergreen Memorial Park, McMinnville, Yamhill County, Oregon. May he rest in peace.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Harold.

Lest we forget. 🇺🇸

The sources used for this article are known to the author and available on request.