George W. Howard was born in Wellington in 1948. He attended school in Wellington and enlisted in the Navy in January of 1966. After boot camp, he graduated from Basic Hospital Corps School in August 1966 and Field Medical Services School in June of 1967 while assigned to the Fleet Marine Force.
Later that month he was shipped to Vietnam for a 13-month tour. He was stationed with the 3rd Marine Amphibious Force’s 2nd Combat Action Group south of DaNang. As a medic for infantry marines in combat, he also helped take care of Vietnamese civilians treating ill patients and even delivering babies.
He married Sue Ellen Derr in Oceanside California in November of 1968, earned his GED in August of 1969 and graduated from X-Ray Technician School in 1971.
In 1976 George left the Navy and returned to the panhandle with his wife and two sons. The family later grew to four sons.
He re-enlisted in the Naval Reserve in 1983 and in 1986 he began long-term employment as a guard at the Pantex plant.
He was recalled to active duty in January of 1991 where he was stationed for 3 months at 29 Palms, California and then at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia.
George retired from the Reserve in 2000 as a Senior Chief Petty Officer after 26 years of services to his country.
His medals include the Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, Combat Action Ribbon and the Navy Unit Commendation as well as numerous others.
George resides in Clarendon where he enjoys farming and ranching when he is not entertaining his grandchildren.
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