Navy Federal Credit Union

Charles Howard graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1931. Captured after the fall of the Philippine Islands in 1942, he endured three years of captivity as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese. He retired in 1961 as a U.S. Army Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery), [then Major]

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    88th Field Artillery Regiment (Philippine Scouts)

    Action Date:

    February 23, 1942

    War Department, General Orders No. 71 (July 17, 1946)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery), [then Major] Charles Edward Nason Howard, Jr. (ASN: 0-18521), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 2d Battalion, 88th Field Artillery Regiment (Philippine Scouts), in action against the enemy in the Philippine Islands, on 23 February 1942. Lieutenant Colonel Howard displayed gallantry in action on Bataan, Philippine Islands. Under heavy enemy artillery fire and repeated dive-bomber attacks, he kept his command post and fire direction center in operation. Seeing a fire, started by a bursting shell in a nearby cane field, rapidly approach a filled ammunition truck, Lieutenant Colonel Howard drove the vehicle, without regard for his own safety, through the falling explosives to a place of security. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Howard, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    88th Field Artillery Regiment (Philippine Scouts)

    Action Date:

    1942

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Charles Edward Nason Howard, Jr. (ASN: 0-18521), United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 2d Battalion, 88th Field Artillery Regiment (Philippine Scouts), in the Philippine Islands, in 1942.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)

    Action Date:

    1942 – 1945

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Charles Edward Nason Howard, Jr. (ASN: 0-18521), United States Army, was captured by the Japanese after the fall the Philippine Islands in 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military control at the end of hostilities in August 1945.