James H. Howard

James H. Howard
Name	James H. Howard
Birth date	April 8, 1913
Birth place	Canton, China
Death date	March 18, 1995
Death place	Bay Pines, Florida
Placeofburial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Navy, United States Army Air Forces
Serviceyears	1938–1946
Rank	Brigadier General
Unit	Flying Tigers, 356th Fighter Squadron
Battles	Second Sino-Japanese War, World War II
Awards	Medal of Honor, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal

James H. Howard was a decorated American combat pilot and the only European Theater fighter pilot in the United States Army Air Forces to be awarded the Medal of Honor during World War II. His most famous action occurred on January 11, 1944, while leading the 356th Fighter Squadron over Oschersleben, Germany, where he single-handedly defended a formation of B-17 Flying Fortress bombers against overwhelming Luftwaffe fighter opposition. Prior to his service in Europe, Howard was a veteran of the American Volunteer Group, famously known as the Flying Tigers, where he fought in the Second Sino-Japanese War and achieved ace status.

Early life and education

James Howell Howard was born on April 8, 1913, in Canton, China, where his father worked as an ophthalmologist. He spent his early childhood in St. Louis before his family returned to the United States. Howard attended Pomona College in California for a year before transferring to and graduating from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1937. After receiving his commission as an ensign in the United States Navy, he served for a year aboard the USS ''Enterprise'' before resigning his commission to pursue a career in aviation.

Military career

In 1941, Howard joined the American Volunteer Group, the famed Flying Tigers, to fight for the Republic of China Air Force against Japanese forces. Flying the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, he was credited with destroying 6.3 enemy aircraft, becoming an ace. Following the disbandment of the Flying Tigers in 1942, he returned to the United States and was commissioned as a major in the United States Army Air Forces. He was assigned to the 356th Fighter Squadron, part of the 354th Fighter Group, which was equipped with the North American P-51 Mustang and operated from bases in England.

Medal of Honor action

On January 11, 1944, during a mission to provide escort for B-17s bombing the Focke-Wulf aircraft factory in Oschersleben, Germany, Howard's group encountered approximately 30 enemy fighters. When the rest of his squadron was drawn away, Howard single-handedly engaged the attacking Luftwaffe formation, which included Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Focke-Wulf Fw 190 aircraft. In a thirty-minute engagement, he was credited with shooting down four to six enemy fighters, repeatedly breaking up attacks on the vulnerable bomber stream. His aggressive, lone-wolf defense of the USAAF heavy bombers became legendary, and he was later awarded the Medal of Honor for his "conspicuous gallantry" and "intrepidity".

Later life and death

After the war, Howard left active duty in 1946, remaining in the Air Force Reserve and eventually attaining the rank of brigadier general. He pursued a career in business, working for various corporations including Chemstrand Corporation and serving as a vice president for the research division of Monsanto. He also authored an autobiography, Roar of the Tiger. James H. Howard died on March 18, 1995, at the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System in Florida and was interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

Awards and decorations

Howard's military decorations include the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Presidential Unit Citation, the American Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Republic of China's Order of the Cloud and Banner. He was also awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross for his service with the Flying Tigers.

Legacy

James H. Howard is remembered as one of the most heroic fighter pilots of World War II. His Medal of Honor citation is displayed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. A memorial plaque was dedicated in his honor at the United States Naval Academy, and he is featured in numerous historical works on the Flying Tigers and the air war over Europe. His story continues to exemplify extraordinary airmanship and selfless devotion to duty in the annals of American military aviation.

Category:American military personnel of World War II Category:Recipients of the Medal of Honor Category:United States Army Air Forces pilots