Myrtle Beach in Horry County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Brigadier General James Howell Howard
Photographed By Charles Keller, April 27, 2012
1. Brigadier General James Howell Howard Marker
General Howard was the only fighter pilot awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for heroic combat flying in the European Theater of Operations during World War II.While flying his P-51 on a bomber escort mission near Berlin in 1944, he found himself alone in the defense of the bomber formation. For more than 30 minutes, he fought some 30 German fighters that were attacking the Flying Fortresses. During this engagement, which witnesses called the greatest display of combat flying ever seen, he shot down at least four enemy aircraft. No B-17s were lost, and his own aircraft received only one hit.
He became the first fighter ace in both the European and Pacific Theaters. He retired from the Air Force Reserve as a Brigadier General in 1966.
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Photos of General Howard, courtesy of Gene Lamar
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1944.
Location. 33° 40.194′ N, 78° 56.393′ W. Marker is in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in Horry County
Photographed By Charles Keller, January 27, 2018
2. Brigadier General James Howell Howard Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Colonel Thomas C. “Buddy” Styers (within shouting distance of this marker); Chief Master Sergeant Gary J. Moser (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); General Robert H. Reed (about 300 feet away); Colonel Warren R. Lewis (about 300 feet away); Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment (about 400 feet away); Jack Walker (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Myrtle Beach.
Photographed By Charles Keller
3. Brigadier General James Howell Howard Marker
Photographed By Don Morfe, July 1, 1999
4. Brigadier General James Howell Howard Grave Marker
He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 34, Site 2571.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2018, by Charles Keller of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 163 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 29, 2018, by Charles Keller of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 2, 3. submitted on January 28, 2018, by Charles Keller of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 4. submitted on February 7, 2018, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
