Hamilton H. Howze
Encyclopedia
Hamilton Hawkins Howze was born in West Point, New York
, while his father, Major General
Robert Lee Howze
, an 1888 West Point graduate, was serving as Commandant of the West Point
.
In WWII he served as the commanders of: 2nd Battalion, 13th Armor Regiment (1943); 13th Armor Regiment (1943–44); 1st Armored Division
, Italy (1944–45). After the war Howze served as the G-3 of the 1st Armored Division in 1946. Three years later he attended the National War College
, which was followed by an assignment in the office of the G-2 from 1949 to 1952. After promotion to Brigadier General
in 1952 he became Assistant Commanding General, 2nd Armored Division, European Command, until 1954.
, Department of the Army, from 1955 to 1958, he developed new tactical principles for the employment of Army Aviation, and was instrumental in helping the Aviation Center and School
become fully established in its new home at Fort Rucker
, Alabama. He then became Commanding General of the 82d Airborne Division.
In 1961, as Chairman of the Tactical Mobility Requirements Board, Howze led the development in airmobile theory and doctrine. The Army's adoption of the recommendations in the Howze Board
changed mobile warfare. Its revolutionary concepts - based on the use of aviation - changed military attitudes in a similar manner to the way the tank affected ideas on mobility 50 years earlier.
Two years later the 11th Air Assault Division was formed to test and validate these concepts. As a result of Howze's leadership, foresight and perception, two air-mobile divisions were eventually established. These divisions, which still adhere to the fundamentals of Howze's air-mobility doctrine, have gone on to provide mobile and combined arms capabilities that are required in today's ground combat conditions.
Howze served as the commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps from 1961 - 1962 and briefly acting Commanding General, Third Army from 1962 - 1963. His last assignment was as Commanding General, Eighth Army, Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Forces in Korea, a four-star
United Nations command position involving U.S. and R.O.K. troops
, from 1963 to 1965.
General Howze retired from active duty in 1965 to Fort Worth, Texas
.
He died on December 8, 1998, and was buried next to his father at the United States Military Academy Post Cemetery.
Hamilton H. Howze Gunnery Award
The “Howze Gunnery Award” is presented by the AAAA and is sponsored by Rockwell International Corporation (in the memory of General Hamilton H. Howze), and is presented annually to the top AH-1 & AH-64 crew in the annual GEN Hamilton H. Howze Gunnery Competition. Past awardees include CW2 John S. Van Buren & 1LT Michael J. Blatz, B Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Avn. Regiment, 2nd Armored Div., APO NY (1989), WO1 Jose E. Trejeda & CW2 John L. Kercheville, AH-1 crew, C & D Trps, 1-7 Cavalry, 1st Cav Div, Ft. Hood, TX (1991), and CW2 Jarrett R. Brewer & WO1 Kevin E. Smith, AH-64 crew, C Troop, 6th Cav Regt, Ft. Hood, TX (1991).
West Point, New York
West Point is a federal military reservation established by President of the United States Thomas Jefferson in 1802. It is a census-designated place located in Town of Highlands in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 7,138 at the 2000 census...
, while his father, Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
Robert Lee Howze
Robert Lee Howze
Robert Lee Howze was a United States Army Major General who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Indian Wars....
, an 1888 West Point graduate, was serving as Commandant of the West Point
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
.
Early career
Howze attended West Point, graduating in the Class of 1930. He was commissioned into the 6th Cavalry.In WWII he served as the commanders of: 2nd Battalion, 13th Armor Regiment (1943); 13th Armor Regiment (1943–44); 1st Armored Division
1st Armored Division (United States)
The 1st Armored Division—nicknamed "Old Ironsides"—is a standing armored division of the United States Army with base of operations in Fort Bliss, Texas. It was the first armored division of the U.S...
, Italy (1944–45). After the war Howze served as the G-3 of the 1st Armored Division in 1946. Three years later he attended the National War College
National War College
The National War College of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active. It was officially established on July 1, 1946, as an upgraded replacement for the...
, which was followed by an assignment in the office of the G-2 from 1949 to 1952. After promotion to Brigadier General
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
in 1952 he became Assistant Commanding General, 2nd Armored Division, European Command, until 1954.
Air Mobile
Howze is recognized as the intellectual force behind the concept of air-mobility and current US Army Aviation doctrine. While serving as the first Director of Army AviationUnited States Army Aviation Branch
The Aviation Branch of the United States Army is the administrative organization within the Army responsible for doctrine, manning and configuration for all aviation units....
, Department of the Army, from 1955 to 1958, he developed new tactical principles for the employment of Army Aviation, and was instrumental in helping the Aviation Center and School
United States Army Aviation School
The United States Army Aviation School is located at Fort Rucker, Alabama-History:In 1912 the facility was located in College Park, Maryland.* Organic Army Aviation first entered into combat in November 1942 on the coast of North Africa...
become fully established in its new home at Fort Rucker
Fort Rucker
Fort Rucker is a U.S. Army post located mostly in Dale County, Alabama, United States. It was named for a Civil War officer, Confederate General Edmund Rucker. The post is the primary flight training base for Army Aviation and is home to the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence and...
, Alabama. He then became Commanding General of the 82d Airborne Division.
In 1961, as Chairman of the Tactical Mobility Requirements Board, Howze led the development in airmobile theory and doctrine. The Army's adoption of the recommendations in the Howze Board
Howze Board
Howze Board is the informal name of the Tactical Mobility Requirements Board that was created at the request of Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara to review and test new concepts integrating helicopters into the United States Army. It gave birth to idea of airmobility. It was named after its...
changed mobile warfare. Its revolutionary concepts - based on the use of aviation - changed military attitudes in a similar manner to the way the tank affected ideas on mobility 50 years earlier.
Two years later the 11th Air Assault Division was formed to test and validate these concepts. As a result of Howze's leadership, foresight and perception, two air-mobile divisions were eventually established. These divisions, which still adhere to the fundamentals of Howze's air-mobility doctrine, have gone on to provide mobile and combined arms capabilities that are required in today's ground combat conditions.
Final commands
LTGLieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
Howze served as the commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps from 1961 - 1962 and briefly acting Commanding General, Third Army from 1962 - 1963. His last assignment was as Commanding General, Eighth Army, Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Forces in Korea, a four-star
General (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, general is a four-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. General ranks above lieutenant general and below General of the Army or General of the Air Force; the Marine Corps does not have an...
United Nations command position involving U.S. and R.O.K. troops
Republic of Korea Army
The Republic of Korea Army is the largest of the military branches of the South Korean armed forces with 520,000 members as of 2010...
, from 1963 to 1965.
General Howze retired from active duty in 1965 to Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
.
Retirement
Howze remained active after leaving the Army and became an executive and consultant for Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth. As a 1957 Charter Member of the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA), he served for four years as the organization's Senior Vice President and President. He was also a member of the Army Aviation Hall of Fame and was the Chairman of the AAAA’s Board of Trustees.He died on December 8, 1998, and was buried next to his father at the United States Military Academy Post Cemetery.
Hamilton H. Howze Gunnery Award
The “Howze Gunnery Award” is presented by the AAAA and is sponsored by Rockwell International Corporation (in the memory of General Hamilton H. Howze), and is presented annually to the top AH-1 & AH-64 crew in the annual GEN Hamilton H. Howze Gunnery Competition. Past awardees include CW2 John S. Van Buren & 1LT Michael J. Blatz, B Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Avn. Regiment, 2nd Armored Div., APO NY (1989), WO1 Jose E. Trejeda & CW2 John L. Kercheville, AH-1 crew, C & D Trps, 1-7 Cavalry, 1st Cav Div, Ft. Hood, TX (1991), and CW2 Jarrett R. Brewer & WO1 Kevin E. Smith, AH-64 crew, C Troop, 6th Cav Regt, Ft. Hood, TX (1991).
Awards and decorations
Army Aviator BadgeUnited States Aviator BadgeA United States Aviator Badge refers to three types of aviation badges issued by the United States military, those being for Army, Air Force, and Naval aviation....
Airborne badgeParachutist Badge (United States)The Parachutist Badge, also commonly referred to as "Jump Wings" or "Snow Cone", is a military badge of the United States Armed Forces awarded to members of the United States Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy...
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with Valor DeviceValor deviceThe Valor device is an award of the United States military which is a bronze attachment to certain medals to indicate that it was received for valor...
Italian Military Valor CrossCroce di GuerraThe Croce di Guerra al Valor Militare is an Italian decoration for military valour.- Past recipients :* Edouard Izac, Lieutenant, United States Navy* Douglas MacArthur, General, United States Army...
South Korean Tong-il MedalOrder of National Security Merit (Korea)The Order of National Security Merit is one of the Republic of Korea's Orders of Merit. It is conferred on individuals who have rendered distinguished service to national security, and is primarily a military award....
(1st Class)
- 1962 AHS International Vertical Flight Society "Honorary Fellow"
- 1974 Army Aviation Association of America Hall of Fame inductee