North High School Wall of Honor Dwight Eugene Howard Class of June, 1942
Research done by Claradell Shedd, class of 1953.
Dwight Eugene Howard
Dwight graduated in the North High class of June, 1942. Enlisted where? At the time of his enlistment, his next of kin was Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Vincent Howard, 1055 Fifth Street, Des Moines, IA. His service number is 413276. Upon graduation from North High in 1942, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served in the South Pacific for the duration of WWII, attaining the rank of Sergeant. At the conclusion of the war, he returned to Des Moines and attended Iowa State University, where he graduated with a BS in Industrial Engineering. He married Cecile Mary Jane Audy in St. Ambrose Cathedral on September 4, 1948. After a brief period working for Meredith Publishing Company, he returned to the Marine Corps in 1951, receiving the commission of First Lieutenant. He served two tours of duty in Korea; one with the First Marine Division, and the other with the Third Marine Division. While serving in the Washington D.C. area, he attended evening classes at George Washington University and earned a Master's degree in Personnel Management. From 1965-1966, Colonel Howard taught Military Science at Marquette University's ROTC Program. Assigned to duty in Vietnam from 1967-1968, earing the Legion of Merit. From 1968-1971, he was assigned to duty at the Pentagon and was promoted to full Colonel in December, 1971. Assigned to the United States Marine Corpos Headquarters from 1971-1972. After being transferred to the San Diego area, Colonel Howard was assigned to the most coveted position in the Marine Corps, that of Commanding Officer of the First Marine Regiment of the First Marine Division. While serving in this capacity, Colonel Howard succumbed to a rare blood disorder and died at Balboa Naval Hospital on December 2, 1973, at the age of 49. He was buried with full military honors befitting his rank and service at Arlington National Cemetery. Colonel Howard spent nearly 27 years of his life dedicated to the service of his country. He was assigned overseas five times, four of those occasions in combat tours of duty. He was highly decorated and received meritorious service medals in three wars.
Map of Peleliu (sample) Okinawa Deployment Palau Islands (sample)
Dwight Eugene Howard Year x Rank x Status June, 1942 x Graduated x North Des Moines High School. June, 1942 x US Marine Corps x Enlisted in Des Moines, IA in the US Marine Corps. dates x US Marine Corps/ Sergeant x Where in Pacific Theater? to include Paleliu, Palau Islands, and Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands? date 1948? x Schooling x Iowa State University, Ames, IA. Graduated w/BS in Industrial Engineering. 1948? Sept.4, 1948 x Married x Married Cecile Mary Jane Audy in St. Ambrose Cathedral, Des Moines, IA. 1951 x US Marine Corps/ 1st Lieutenant x Two tours in Korea. First Marine Divison; Third Marine Division. date x Schooling x While serving in Washington, D.C., he attended George Washington University; Master's degree in Personnel Management. 1965-1966 x Instructor x Taught Military Science at Marquette University's ROTC Program. 1967-1968 x Stationed x Vietnam tour. Legion of Merit. 1971 x US Marine Corps/ Colonel x Stationed at The Pentagon. 1971-1972 x US Marine Corps x Stationed at United States Marine Corps Headquarters. July 18,1972- Feb. 11,1973 x US Marine Corps/ Colonel x San Diego area. The most coveted position in the Marine Corps...Commanding Officer of the First Marine Regiment of the First Marine Division. Dec. 2, 1973 x US Marine Corps/ Colonel x Died of a rare blood disorder (leukemia) at Balboa Naval Hospital. He was 49. Buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
Buried at Arlington National Cemetery; Arlington, VA
" " Dwight Eugene Howard Colonel U.S. Marine Corps Medals
References The comprehensive list of names from North High's 1893-2018 graduation classes are from Claradell Shedd's North Des Moines High School website. The names of North High School graduates can be found online at: http://www.ndmhs.com/. Dwight Eugene Howard's class page is: http://www.ndmhs.com/pages/yearclass1942(1987.45).html.
Deceased: 12/02/73.
Music: "Semper Fidelis"
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