John Martin Howard was born in Chester, Pennsylvania

Chester, Pennsylvania

Chester is a city in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States, with a population of 33,972 at the 2010 census. Chester is situated on the Delaware River, between the cities of Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware.- History :...

, and enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve on 22 June 1935. After training duty 1940-1941 at the Naval Reserve Midshipman's School, Howard was appointed Ensign 28 February 1941. After serving at the Washington Navy Yard

Washington Navy Yard

The Washington Navy Yard is the former shipyard and ordnance plant of the United States Navy in Southeast Washington, D.C. It is the oldest shore establishment of the U.S. Navy...

 and at the Bureau of Ordnance, Howard was assigned temporary duty at the American Embassy, London. He was killed as a result of an accidental mine explosion.

USS John M. Howard (IX-75)

USS John M. Howard (IX-75)

USS John M. Howard , an unclassified miscellaneous vessel, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for John Martin Howard. Her keel was laid down in Camden, New Jersey, in 1934 as Elsie Fenimore, and purchased from her owner, E. R. Fenimore Johnson, on 2 July 1942. She was placed...

was named in his honor.