The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, SP4 James Ray Howard, who died in the service of his country on November 9th, 1967 in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Multi-Frag. At the time of his death James was 20 years of age. He was from Detroit, Michigan. James is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 29E, Line 59.
The decorations earned by SP4 James Ray Howard include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star with V, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.
James is buried in the Lincoln Memorial Cemetery (Clinton Township, MI) at the intersection of Gratiot Ave. and 15 Mile road.
James was technically in HHC, 1/35th but we chose to list him with the Company he died supporting.
(Following is the citation for James' Bronze Star with "V" device)
For heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 9 November 1967 Specialist Four Howard distinguished himself while serving as an Infantryman attached to Company A, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry, operating near Xuan Que. Company A was taken under fire by North Vietnamese Army forces estimated at two companies in strength. As the engagement opened, the enemy had fire superiority and were able to wound several men in the company. Seeing that his comrades further forward were under extremely heavy fire and suffering losses, Specialist Four Howard moved rapidly to the point of heaviest contact to lend his weight to the struggle. He was moving forward through thick enemy fire when he spotted an enemy automatic weapon that was delivering deadly fire on his platoon. In an attempt to silence the weapon he moved to a place from which he could fire effectively on the enemy position. Before he could eliminate the crew of the weapon, however, he was mortally wounded. Specialist Four Howard's courageous actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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