USS Howard Sailors Memorialize Mrs. Theresa Howard

ABOARD USS HOWARD IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC (Aug. 22, 2008) Ensign Linzy Lewis and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Bryan Smith lower a bouquet of flowers into the sea in remembrance of Mrs. Theresa Howard, USS Howard's sponsor. Fire Controlman 2nd Class Roger Beasley stands at attention holding the American flag during a memorial service held the same day a funeral service was held for Mrs. Howard in San Diego. U.S. Navy photo taken by Electronic Technician 2nd Class Matthew Marshall (Released).

By Ensign Kristi Coonfare USS Howard Public Affairs
AT SEA ABOARD USS HOWARD IN THE STRAIT OF MALACCA - USS Howard (DDG 83) Sailors held a memorial service Aug. 22 in remembrance of the ship's sponsor and in honor of her sacrifices and dedication to crewmembers, her family and her beloved husband, U.S. Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Jimmie Howard, the ship's namesake.

Mrs. Theresa Howard's memorial service was held aboard the guided-missile destroyer while sailing off the coast of Malaysia and on the same day a funeral service was held in San Diego. She passed away Aug. 17 after a four-month illness.

Shortly before USS Howard departed San Diego May 19 for its 2008 Western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployment, crewmembers learned that Mrs. Howard was hospitalized. Sailors sent cards and flowers and Cmdr. Curtis Goodnight, Howard's commanding officer, made a bedside visit.

"I'm not sure that I will be on the pier when you all return," Mrs. Howard told Goodnight shortly before the ship deployed. "You take good care of our ship and crew."

From the moment Theresa learned that a new Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer would be named after her husband following his death in 1993, Mrs. Howard was a constant presence and inspiration to crewmembers.

Mrs. Howard was present at every major ship event including the christening, change of command ceremonies, Christmas parties, and tiger cruises. Every time she visited the ship, Howard sailors lined up for hugs from her. Although crewmembers never met her heroic husband, his legacy lived on vicariously through Mrs. Howard.

Theresa's husband, 1st Sgt. Jimmie Howard, was awarded the Medal of Honor for honorable service during the Vietnam War. Of the 18 Marines in Jimmie's platoon, six were killed; the other 12 were wounded. All platoon members, both living and dead, were awarded the Purple Heart; 13 were awarded the Silver Star and four received the Navy Cross. 1st Sgt. Howard was the only member to receive the Medal of Honor for his fearless leadership as platoon leader in the face of overwhelming odds during combat atop Hill 488. His actions prevented the loss of his entire platoon.

While Jimmie served in Vietnam, Theresa still managed to cook dinner for her six children every night before she worked a late-night shift at a local restaurant. After 1st Sgt. Howard died from a heart attack, Theresa led her family through their devastating loss.

After Jimmie Howard met Theresa in 1950, they married within a year on February 17, 1951. Surviving several deployments to Korea and Vietnam, Jimmie and Theresa raised seven children - Jimmie, Yvonne, Yvette, Barbara, Linette, Darlene and Joseph.

Howard Sailors paid their final respects to their beloved sponsor. After the invocation and remarks from Cmdr. Goodnight, Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class Eric Bash sang Mrs. Howard's favorite song, "Ave Maria," the song she requested at her wedding. A wreath of flowers was lowered into the water and the honor platoon fired a rifle salute.

USS Howard has lost someone dear. All on board will miss her smiling face and kind words

We made it Halfway!!

Well families and friends, we have made it halfway thru this deployment! Just a few more months and we will be holding our loved ones again! We had a great time at the Halfway BBQ Potluck last night and hope that everyone enjoyed themselves and meeting new faces of your Howard family!

Here are just a few photos! If you have any from the event, please send them to howardfrg@gmail.com so we can post them here!!

USS Howard Builds Partnerships in SEACAT Exercise

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua Scott
Carrier Strike Group 7 Public Affairs

ABOARD USS HOWARD OFF THE COAST OF BRUNEI, (Aug. 20, 2008 ) - The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) trained with the navies of Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the Republic of the Philippines Aug. 17-20 during the Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism (SEACAT) exercise.

The seventh-annual exercise focused on improving the interoperability between regional navies and their ability to collectively intercept vessels using the seas to transport criminals, contraband or terrorists.

During the first day of the exercise, while Howard acted as an opposing force vessel, a commando team from the Brunei Special Forces boarded her. The Royal Navy of Brunei and the Royal Brunei Air Force tracked Howard and assisted the team in the maritime intercept. U.S. Sailors from Heloborne Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (HVBSS) Team 1, embarked aboard Howard, acted as crew members assigned to the rogue vessel.

"The training was a big success," said Lt. Nathaniel Shick, Howard's weapons officer. "The Brunei forces were very professional."

Capt. Rasman, boarding officer for the Brunei special operations unit, agreed that the training was particularly effective. "It was a good platform for future operations. If we do this again, we'd love to come to Howard."

On the second day of the exercise, Howard boarding teams conducted small boat operations in rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs), while coordinating with a P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Navy.

During their time operating with partner navies, U.S. Sailors were impressed by the skill of their counterparts.

"They performed professionally and efficiently," said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Benjamin Ericson, a member of HVBSS Team 1 who played the role of ship's master aboard Howard for the exercise.

As the boarding team of Bruneian commandos prepared to depart the ship, Howard executive officer Lt. Cmdr. Charles Grassi thanked his ship's guests.

"On behalf of the Captain and crew of USS Howard, it was a pleasure to have you on board, and we look forward to operating with you again," Grassi said.

SEACAT presents its multinational participants with realistic situations involving criminal and terrorist threats requiring international coordination, communication and decision making. U.S. ships involved in the exercise include Howard, USS Tortuga (LSD 46), USS Ford (FFG 54), USCGC Morgenthau (WHEC 722) and U.S. military sealift command ships USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50), USNS 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez (T-AK 3010) and MV Cpl. Louis J. Hauge, Jr. (T-AK 3000). In addition, a U.S. P-3C from VP-16 is participating in the exercise.

Howard is a member of the USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, currently in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility as part of a routine deployment to promote peace, cooperation and stability in the region.

Fun Lei Making Ladies!!

Howard Swim Call

Pacific Ocean, August 15 2008, sailors jump off of the flight deck of the guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) during a scheduled swim call. The two-hour swim call was the first for Howard this deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua Scott.

USS Howard Holds "Boot-Off;" Professionalism Shines

By Ensign Kristi Coonfare, USS Howard Public Affairs

USS HOWARD, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Howard (DDG 83) got back to basics Aug. 6 with the final round of its first boot-shining competition.

The two-day competition featured a Sailor from each of Howard's 18 divisions vying for a day of duty exemption in the ship's next port call and a $25 Navy Exchange gift card.

The day before the final event, participation in the initial round was overwhelming. The mess decks were packed with cheering Sailors.

Because each of Howard's 18 divisions sent two representatives to the competition, divisional support and pride in their representatives were on full display.

"If you want to see the other boots, just look in the reflection of Seaman Harding's boots," said Sonar Technician (Surface) 3rd Class Robert Banker about his shipmate's footwear.

Only four candidates made it through the grueling judging panel of chief petty officers for the final round. The top four finalists were given one additional night to spit, shine, and polish their boots for the championship round.

The championship round included Capt. William Nault, commodore of Destroyer Squadron 7 as final judge. With Howard Sailors forming a 'Soul Train' line on the ship's foc'sle and a disc jockey blaring music, each contestant danced to show-off their boots through a tunnel of Sailors towards the judging platform.

Nault inspected each set of boots. Silence and tension built as Nault made his rounds. With a critical eye, he walked past the four candidates one last time judging their shoelaces, edge dressing, and overall shine.

With a final nod of his head, Nault signaled that he had made his decision.

As Storekeeper 1st Class Raymond Paguia, the emcee of the championship event, prepared to announce Nault's decision, the deck quieted in anticipation. "The winner of Howard's first Boot-Off is…STGSN Harding," Paguia announced.

The loud cheer that spread throughout the ship clearly indicated that Sonar Technician (Surface) Seaman Robert Harding was the crowd's favorite.

Some crew members attempted to lift Harding on their shoulders in celebration; however, Howard's first Boot-Off champ declined, claiming, "I don't want to mess up my boots."

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