SSG Ernest Joshua Howard

SSG Ernest Joshua Howard was born 10 May 1923 in Leota, Missouri to Peter Nero and Myrtle Mae (Wicker) Howard. The family farmed and then Peter operated a grocery store. On 14 Jun 1941, in Fulton County, Arkansas, Ernest married Veda Ruth Cotter. The Howards moved to Kern County, California.  In December that same year they would have a son, Kenneth Dean Howard.  Kenneth died 4 Mar 1942. 

Ernest was working on a dairy farm when he was drafted in October 1943.  On 17 Jul 1944, he was transferred from the replacement depot to A Company 116th Infantry where he served as a rifleman.  PVT Howard was promoted to PFC on 11 Aug 1944. He is next noted in the morning report as being a SSG when he was killed in action on 18 Oct 1944.

SSG Howard was awarded the Silver Star for actions on 16 Sep 1944 when he fired 25 rifle grenades from an exposed position in indirect fire and managed to force Germans from a position allowing the platoon to advance. 

SSG Howard is buried in the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery.