Community Corner
Destroyer USS Howard Departs Monday to Western Pacific
The USS Howard will conduct various maritime security missions and take part in exercises with ships of other countries.
The guided-missile destroyer USS Howard will depart its home port of San Diego on Monday for an independent deployment to the Western Pacific, the Navy announced Tuesday.
"Though the crew will miss friends and families, Howard is deploying at the peak of readiness," said Cmdr. David Zook, the vessel's commanding officer. "We look forward to serving the nation."
The USS Howard will conduct various maritime security missions and take part in exercises with ships of other countries, according to the Navy. The scheduled length of the deployment was not disclosed. The ship last deployed in 2011.
The destroyer is named in honor of Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Jimmie E. Howard, a combat veteran of both Korea and Vietnam who was awarded the Medal of Honor, Silver Star and three Purple Hearts during his 27 years of service.
Following his retirement in 1972, he worked at a San Diego Veterans Affairs office and was an assistant football coach at Point Loma High School. He died in 1993 and is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
– City News Service
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