Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

G-3, HQ, 32nd Infantry Division "Red Arrow", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

December 28th, 1942

"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters, 128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 5 December 1942, near Buna, New Guinea. During an attack on Buna Village, when men of a rifle company short of Company officers were checked by heavy small arms and mortar fire at close range, Lieutenant Colonel Howe personally exposed himself to the enemy fire, moving among the advanced groups and encouraging the men to resume the attack. He led them in an attack, gaining ground which, held and consolidated, assisted materially in an advance on the succeeding day. Lieutenant Colonel Howe's outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 32nd Infantry Division, and the United States Army."

Headquarters, South West Pacific Area, General Orders No. 64 (28 December 1942).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

G-3, HQ, 32nd Infantry Division "Red Arrow", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

November 15th, 1943

For wounds received in action near Buna Village, New Guinea on December 5, 1942.

Headquarters, 32nd Infantry Division, General Orders No. 81 (15 November 1943).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division "Red Arrow", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

January 22nd, 1943

Merle H. Howe, Lieutenant Colonel, Infantry, Commanding Officer, 127th Infantry, Army of the United States. For gallantry in action near Tarakena, New Guinea, January 16, 1943. On that date Lieutenant Colonel Howe made a personal reconnaissance of the front line area across the Konombi River. With utter disregard for his personal safety, he continually exposed himself for heavy enemy sniper fire from enemy positions fifty yards away, and secured valuable information for future operations. Lieutenant Colonel Howe's actions were over and above the ordinary call of duty and inspired his men to greater efforts.


Headquarters, U.S. Forces, Buna Area, General Orders No. 17 (22 january 1943).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division "Red Arrow", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

January 24th, 1943

Merle H. Howe, Lieutenant Colonel, Infantry, Commanding Officer, 127th Infantry, Army of the United States. For gallantry in action near Giruwa, New Guinea, January 19, 1943. During an attack on Giruwa,
Company E, 127th Infantry was being held up by heavy enemy machine gun fire. With utter disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Colonel Howe went to the foremost elements of the company and while under constant heavy enemy machine gun and sniper fire, directed the destruction of the enemy resistance which resulted in the continuance of the advance on Giruwa.
Lieutenant Colonel Howe's courage, coolness, and exceptional leadership was an inspiration to all the troops.

Headquarters U.S. Forces, Buna Area, General Order No. 18 (24 January 1943). This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leave to be worn on the ribbon of the first award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Colonel

Unit:

127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division "Red Arrow", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

December 2nd, 1944

Colonel Merle H. Howe, Infantry, United States Army. For meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy near Afua, New Guinea, from 19 July 1944 to 30 July 1944.

Headquarters, 32d Infantry Division, General Order No. 96 (2 December 1944).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Colonel

Unit:

128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division "Red Arrow", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

July 25th, 1945

Colonel Merle H. Howe, Infantry, United States Army. For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services in Luzon, Philippine Islands, from 28 March to 10 May 1945. Assuming command of an infantry regiment [128th] while it was engaged in sustained action with a stubborn enemy, Colonel Howe, through his gallant and incisive leadership, maintained his command at a high peak of morale and combat efficiency despite heavy casualties it had already suffered. While skillfully directing his forces in hotly contested action along the Villa Verde Trail, he made frequent personal visits to forward positions and through his advice and encouragement inspired his men to attack the enemy with renewed vigor and to capture or destroy strategic objectives. Colonel Howe’s brilliant and dynamic leadership and his willingness at all times to share the hardships and dangers of his men, contributed in high degree to his regiment’s success in the Luzon Campaign.

Headquarters, United States Army Forces, Pacific, General Orders No. 71 (25 July 1945).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Colonel

Unit:

128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division "Red Arrow", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

July 25th, 1945

Colonel Merle H. Howe, Infantry, United States Army. For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flights on Luzon, Philippine Islands, from 1 April 1945 to 10 August 1945. During the period Colonel Howe made more than twenty aerial flights in unarmed liaison planes over enemy held territory. More than ten of these flights were made over the Villa Verde Trail area for reconnaissance of enemy positions. As a result of these flights Colonel Howe had a clear picture of the tactical situation and an accurate idea of what he would encounter. The balance of his flights were over enemy territory in the area for reconnaissance of patrol routes and the locating of enemy pockets. Due to Colonel Howe’s flights, patrols were routed over the most advantageous terrain and their missions accomplished expeditiously. For his courage, disregard for his personal safety, and participation in these operations, Colonel Howe established a high degree of meritorious achievement.

Source: 32nd Infantry Division Citation, 25 July 1945, Brig Gen. Robert B. McBride, Commanding.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Colonel

Unit:

128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division "Red Arrow", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1945

"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 11 May 1945 at Luzon, Philippine Islands. During the fighting along the Villa Verde Trail, Colonel Howe, commanding an infantry regiment, went forward to a battalion position to observe the operations of forward elements. Shortly afterward he accompanied an advance patrol which was reconnoitering a route for tanks along the slope of a hill. Half of the patrol had traversed a narrow ravine when the enemy suddenly opened fire from concealed positions and seriously wounded a man directly in front of Colonel Howe. Taking charge of the patrol, immediately Colonel Howe sent two men forward to evacuate the casualty, and then directed covering fire into caves from which the enemy had fired. After directing removal of the wounded man to safety, he organized the patrol for sealing the caves, but was soon wounded by enemy mortar fire directed on the group. Despite the intense enemy fire he refused first aid, continued to direct the demolition squad in finding a route of approach to the caves, and assisted in providing covering fire while the caves were closed with pole charges. Under his direction five caves were sealed and over thirty enemy killed. Colonel Howe, by his quick and heroic action and his effective employment of the few troops at his disposal, prevented numerous casualties, extricated his men from a grave situation, and inflicted many losses on the enemy. His outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 32d Infantry Division, and the United States Army."

Headquarters, U.S. Forces-Pacific, General Orders No. 53 (1945). This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leave to be worn on the ribbon of the first award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Colonel

Unit:

128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division "Red Arrow", U.S. Army

For military merit and for wounds received in action resulting in his death August 30, 1945.



Posthumously awarded. This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leave to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Colonel

Unit:

128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division "Red Arrow", U.S. Army

Posthumously awarded.