Combat· Vietnam War
Howard's Hill
Howard's Hill commemorates one of the most celebrated small-unit actions in Marine Corps history, the night defense of a hilltop observation post by a Marine reconnaissance platoon led by Staff Sergeant Jimmie Howard.
Inserted deep in enemy territory to watch infiltration routes in the Que Son area, the small patrol was discovered and surrounded by a vastly larger Communist force that assaulted the hill through the night, determined to wipe it out. The outnumbered Marines held their tight perimeter against repeated attacks, fighting with rifles, grenades, and finally thrown rocks as ammunition ran low, directing supporting fire and air strikes around their own position and refusing to break. They held until relieved at first light, having inflicted heavy losses on the attackers while suffering grievously themselves. The stand became legendary, its leader awarded the Medal of Honor and his men decorated en masse, a byword for Marine tenacity against overwhelming odds.
Record no. 670