Robert Howard’s heroic service honored in 'Beyond the Call of Duty'
Beyond the Call of Duty recounts the extraordinary bravery of Robert Howard, America’s most decorated Green Beret.
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| U.S. Army soldiers operate in Vietnam against the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War, circa 1968. © Universal History/Getty Images |
By Hayu Andini and Adila Ghina
Beyond the Call of Duty: The Life of Colonel Robert Howard, America's Most Decorated Green Beret (American War Heroes), by Stephen L. Moore
Robert Howard was a soldier whose bravery and resilience made him one of the most celebrated figures in U.S. military history. Over five combat tours, he was wounded 14 times and received numerous commendations, including the Medal of Honor, a Silver Star, four Bronze Stars, and eight Purple Hearts. He was also nominated for the Medal of Honor two additional times—a rare distinction that underscores his extraordinary service.
In Beyond the Call of Duty, author Stephen Moore recounts Howard’s legendary career, chronicling his heroic actions in the jungles of Vietnam and beyond. Howard, who passed away in 2009 at the age of 70, seemed almost indestructible. Time and again, he survived harrowing battles, enduring wounds that would have sidelined most soldiers but never deterred him from the fight.
Surviving the impossible in Vietnam
One of the most intense encounters described in the book took place in Laos in 1967. Howard’s unit came under heavy fire, and he was caught in the chaos of an enemy assault.
“The machine gun came to life again, firing bursts of bullets at Howard,” Moore writes. “Bullets and frags from explosions began to take a toll on Howard’s body. His right clavicle was fractured by shrapnel, and minutes later another fragment or bullet ripped through his right cheek. Howard cheated death once again when he was hit in the face by a bullet for the second time in three years.”
Despite these severe injuries, Howard refused to retreat. Pinned down by relentless gunfire, he remained focused on neutralizing enemy threats. His separated shoulder and bleeding face did not prevent him from reaching for a fragmentation grenade. He pulled the pin and hurled it toward an enemy gun emplacement, eliminating the threat. Moments later, he grabbed an antitank rocket launcher and destroyed another machine-gun nest—this time enduring excruciating pain as the recoil jolted his broken clavicle.
In a matter of minutes, Howard’s fearless counterattack had taken out two enemy positions, saving the lives of his fellow soldiers.
A warrior who refused to quit
Howard’s resilience was tested time and again. In another battle shortly after his fight in Laos, he suffered multiple gunshot wounds, including one that tore through his right shoulder and another that ripped open his left forearm.
“Although painful, neither wound was considered severe enough by Howard to warrant his extraction,” Moore writes.
Such grit defined Howard’s career. He continued serving in the U.S. Army until 1992, dedicating 36 years to military service. His experiences, as detailed in Beyond the Call of Duty, offer a rare glimpse into the world of elite Special Forces operations and the soldiers who carried out high-risk missions in Vietnam and beyond.
The broader impact of Special Forces in Vietnam
Beyond Howard’s individual heroics, Beyond the Call of Duty provides a compelling argument about the larger trajectory of the Vietnam War. While U.S. Special Forces units, including Howard’s, won critical battles and executed successful operations, the book suggests that strategic failures at the highest levels of command led to the war’s ultimate outcome.
Moore presents a clear case that the relentless soldiers on the ground—like Howard and his fellow Green Berets—were not the ones who lost the war. Instead, it was the decisions made by military leadership that shaped the conflict’s conclusion. This perspective challenges conventional narratives and highlights the contributions of the elite forces who carried out some of the most dangerous missions in Vietnam.
A must-read for military history enthusiasts
For those interested in military history, Beyond the Call of Duty is an essential read. It captures the intensity of combat through vivid storytelling while honoring the sacrifices and bravery of Robert Howard. The book not only details Howard’s personal journey but also provides a broader understanding of the Special Forces’ role in Vietnam.
Stephen Moore’s account ensures that Howard’s legacy endures, offering readers a gripping and well-researched tribute to one of America’s greatest warriors. For anyone seeking to understand the realities of war and the courage it demands, Beyond the Call of Duty delivers an unforgettable story of heroism, resilience, and sacrifice.
