The last few days, we've posted several times about the pirates holding for ransom a Ukrainian ship full of battle tanks off the Somalian coast, kinda with an eye toward "The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming!". Impish brats that we are, our reaction is kinda "Whee! This is gonna be something to watch!".
I did a little lookin' around and discovered that the U.S. Navy ship that is closest to the highjacked ship is USS Howard DDG 83 (Turn yer sound waay up and hit the link. Heh.). You can read all about it at her site, but what got me was that she's named after Staff Sergeant Jimmie C. Howard USMC who received the Medal Of Honor for his actions in Vietnam at the famous (to Marines) 'Battle for Howard's Hill'.
Interestingly, I read the above-linked account many years ago in "Small Unit Action In Vietnam Summer 1966" written by Captain Francis J. West, Jr., USMCR who evolved into Bing West who is IMNSHO the best author extant at describing actions on the ground in Iraq today. But I digress.
Here's SSgt Howard's Medal citation:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty. G/Sgt. Howard and his 18-man platoon were occupying an observation post deep within enemy-controlled territory. Shortly after midnight a Viet Cong force of estimated battalion size approached the Marines' position and launched a vicious attack with small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire. Reacting swiftly and fearlessly in the face of the overwhelming odds, G/Sgt. Howard skillfully organized his small but determined force into a tight perimeter defense and calmly moved from position to position to direct his men's fire. Throughout the night, during assault after assault, his courageous example and firm leadership inspired and motivated his men to withstand the unrelenting fury of the hostile fire in the seemingly hopeless situation. He constantly shouted encouragement to his men and exhibited imagination and resourcefulness in directing their return fire. When fragments of an exploding enemy grenade wounded him severely and prevented him from moving his legs, he distributed his ammunition to the remaining members of his platoon and proceeded to maintain radio communications and direct air strikes on the enemy with uncanny accuracy. At dawn, despite the fact that 5 men were killed and all but 1 wounded, his beleaguered platoon was still in command of its position. When evacuation helicopters approached his position, G/Sgt. Howard warned them away and called for additional air strikes and directed devastating small-arms fire and air strikes against enemy automatic weapons positions in order to make the landing zone as secure as possible. Through his extraordinary courage and resolute fighting spirit, G/Sgt. Howard was largely responsible for preventing the loss of his entire platoon. His valiant leadership and courageous fighting spirit served to inspire the men of his platoon to heroic endeavor in the face of overwhelming odds, and reflect the highest credit upon G/Sgt. Howard, the Marine Corps, and the U.S. Naval Service."
Basically, Howard and his men, 18 Marines against maybe 400 NVA, fought throughout a very long night with everything they had and ended up in a circle with their feet touching, while they threw rocks at the enemy and waited for dawn and help to arrive.
You sailors in Howard have a hell of a namesake. SSgt. Howard is guarding the streets of Heaven. Make him proud.
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