Photo Gallery FORT LEE, Va. (June 11, 2009) – After many years of providing care with dignity for fallen military personnel, devotion to duty, sound judgment, professionalism and loyalty, Douglas L. Howard was awarded the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal on June 2 by Maj. Gen. James E. Chambers, Combined Arms Support Command and Fort Lee commanding general.
“It’s about time we recognized you,” Chambers said to Howard.
Chambers said he had a one, two and four-star general working through this past weekend to get Howard his award, which was presented to him bedside at the Johnston-Willis Hospital in Richmond. Howard is now undergoing cancer treatment at another local facility.
“This is not a gift,” Chambers said referring to the MCSM. “This is long overdue.”
He was also awarded the Ancient Order of St. Martin, presented by Larry Toler, deputy to the Quartermaster Center and School commanding general.
“There are some things that happen within the Quartermaster Corps that are very special,” Toler said, referring to the award presentation.
The Ancient Order of Saint Martin is the highest level Quartermaster award given. It is even more significant than being selected into the Quartermaster Hall of Fame, Toler said. Howard is the 12th recipient of the award.
“He’s been tried and found worthy as one of our trusted quartermaster members,” said Toler.
“There are two (military occupational specialties) that I watch over closely – combat medics and mortuary affairs,” Chambers added. “There’s no other group like them in the Army. It takes great former Soldiers and Civilian instructors to train them and prepare them, mentally, spiritually, physically and psychologically for what they do for the nation. They are usually in the background and never get to come forward.”
Howard was born in Wilson, N.C. He attended Saint Leo’s College and is a graduate of the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. He is both a licensed embalmer and funeral director.
“I’m truly touched and thankful for being able to serve the number of years I’ve been able to serve,” Howard said.
On Nov. 1, 1989, Howard retired from the U.S. Army at the rank of master sergeant after having served 23 years on active duty.
At the time of retirement, he was assigned to the Quartermaster Center and School’s Mortuary Affairs Center.
With the exception of an assignment as a special agent with the Defense Investigative Service, the majority of his active duty service was with mortuary affairs organizations.
Those assignments included several years as a mortuary affairs instructor at Fort Lee; a tour of duty with the U.S. Army Mortuary, Saigon, Republic of Vietnam; an assignment to the U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii; an assignment to the U.S. Army Memorial Affairs Agency, Europe; and multiple assignments to the Mortuary and Casualty Support Division, Casualty and Memorial Affairs Operations Center, Alexandria.
Howard returned to the Army as a Department of the Army Civilian mortuary program specialist assigned to the Casualty and Memorial Affairs Operations Center. He remained with that agency until June 1996 when he joined the Mortuary Affairs Center, where he has served as the deputy director for the past 13 years.
During his years of service, he has played critical roles advising and assisting the Department of Defense, national agencies, and other countries during various crises around the world and is considered one of the leading experts in mortuary affairs.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster; the Bronze Star; the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters; the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster; the Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster; the Good Conduct Medal, 7th award; and the Distinguished Instructor Award.
As a DA Civilian employee, Howard has received three awards of the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service and the Civilian Meritorious Service Award.
Post a Comment »
Please note that all posts require staff approval before appearing on the site.
Expect a turnaround time of 24-48 hours, Mon. - Fri. during business hours.
If you would like a reply from the Traveller staff, please include your e-mail in the "NAME" box below. Otherwise we have no method to contact you. If you have questions, please e-mail webmaster@militarynews.com.
Thanks for your feedback!
Jim Bolton SSG Retired wrote on Jun 26, 2009 12:46 PM: