Samuel L. Howard

Samuel Lutz Howard (March 8, 1891 – October 12, 1960) was a United States Marine Corps officer who served with distinction in the Marine Corps for thirty-eight years, attaining the rank of major general while on active duty, and subsequently promoted to Lieutenant General upon retirement.

In the early stages of World War II, then-Colonel Howard commanded the 4th Marine Regiment on Bataan and Corregidor from December 7, 1941, to May 6, 1942. For distinguished service in battles, he was awarded the Navy Cross. Captured by the Japanese at Corregidor and held as a prisoner of war from 1942 until being liberated in 1945. He was the most senior U.S. Marine to be held captive during World War II. After the war, he continued to serve in senior command posts until his retirement in 1953.

Biography

Howard was born on March 8, 1891, in Washington, D.C. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1912. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on May 11, 1914, at which time he reported for duty at the Marine Officers' School, Marine Barracks in Norfolk, Virginia.

In December 1916, he went to sea as a member of the Marine Detachment aboard the and remained on sea duty for almost three years, assuming command of the Marine detachment, in 1917, and the Marine detachment on the in 1918.

World War II Eight months prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, Howard moved to his next duty station in China, and on May 14, 1941, he assumed of command the Fourth Marine Regiment at Shanghai. In September, with the threat of war between the United States and Japan looming, Howard made the recommendation to U.S. Navy commander of the Asiatic Fleet, Admiral Thomas Hart, that the Marine regiment be evacuated from Shanghai. Finally, on November 10, 1941, Howard received orders to prepare to evacuate.

The evacuation of the regiment began on 27 November, with the first group setting sail on the USS President Madison; Howard departed the following day on the USS President Harrison. Once at sea, the 4th Marines received their orders to proceed to the Philippines. The Madison and Harrison traveled together, accompanied by two U.S. Navy submarines. Howard arrived at Subic Bay, without incident, on December 1. U.S. Army Lt. Gen.Jonathan Wainwright ordered all forces to surrender to the Japanese, upon which Colonel Howard ordered the burning of the regimental colors (flag) and the destruction of all the regiment's weapons prior to surrendering. Colonel Howard lamented that he was the first Marine to surrender a regiment.

For his distinguished service during the bitter fighting at Bataan and Corregidor, he was awarded the Navy Cross. He was forced to march many miles to a prison camp. He was held as a prisoner of war in the Philippines and then in Manchuria.

On August 19, 1942, while a POW, Howard received a promotion to brigadier general; however, he would not formally take the rank until he was back in "the jurisdictional limits of the United States." Howard remained a prisoner of war until liberated in August 1945. He was retroactively promoted to major general, effective March 30, 1942.

Post war years Returning to China in September 1946, General Howard assumed command of the First Marine Division (Reinforced) with headquarters in Tientsin. Upon withdrawal of the First Marine Division from China in June 1947, he was transferred to Pearl Harbor to become commanding general, Marine Garrison Forces, Pacific, which post to be held until September 1, 1948, when he returned to the United States.

Retirement Howard retired from the Marine Corps on March 31, 1953, and was advanced to the grade of lieutenant general. He left behind his widow, Marianna (née Gray) Howard, and two daughters, Nancy and Mary Elizabeth.

Awards and decorations Lieutenant General Howard's decoration and medals include: