Thomas Dry HOWIE
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NUMBER OF SERVICE | 0-261582 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
AGE | 36 yo | |||||||||||||||||||||||
DATE OF BIRTH |
12 April 1908 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
ETAT | CAROLINE DU NORD | |||||||||||||||||||||||
FAMILY |
Married: Elisabeth T PAYNE in 1932 Parents: Torrance Victor Howie & Cora Ann Dry Howie | |||||||||||||||||||||||
RANK | Major | |||||||||||||||||||||||
FONCTION |
Batallion commander | |||||||||||||||||||||||
SCHOOLING | Class 1929 Graduate at Military College The Citadel of SOUTH CAROLINA | |||||||||||||||||||||||
JOB BEFORE ENLISTEMENT | September 1929 to February 1941: English teacher and trainer at the Staunton Military Academy of VIRGINIA | |||||||||||||||||||||||
DATE of ENLISTEMENT | 1934 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
COMPANY | Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||
BATTALION | 3rd Battalion | |||||||||||||||||||||||
REGIMENT | 116th Infantry Regiment | |||||||||||||||||||||||
DIVISION | 29th Infantry Division "Blue and gray Division" | |||||||||||||||||||||||
DATE OF DEATH | 17 July 1944 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
STATUS | KIA | |||||||||||||||||||||||
PLACE OF DEATH | During the battle of St Lo | |||||||||||||||||||||||
GRAVE TEMPORARY |
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CEMETERY | NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY of Colleville | |||||||||||||||||||||||
GRAVE |
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DECORATION |
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STORY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
President of his class, star and captain of the baseball team He taught English and was a coach at the military academy of Staunton, Virginia In 1934, he joined the National Guard of Virginia, at this time, part of the 29th Infantry Division In 1938 he becomes a dad with little Sally’s birth. In 1941, the 29th Infantry Division became active. In 1941, he commanded the Company L of the 3rd Battalion of the 116th Infantry Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant. In September 1942, the 29th Infantry Division embarked to England On June 6, 1944 at 7.30 AM, he landed at Omaha Beach with the second assault wave.
On July 16, 1944, the 3rd Battalion’s mission is to break the German lines to join the 2nd Battalion that was surrounded. At 6.30 AM, the junction is made in Martinville. The next morning, the order is given to take the town of Saint Lô. Major Howie’s last words to General Major Charles H Gerhardt (commanding the 29th USDI) were: Rendezvous in Saint Lô.
On July 17, 1944, during a mortars barrage, Major Howie was deadly hit in the back by a shell burst. On July 18, 1944, the 3rd Battalion entered Saint Lô.
In 1945, the military academy of Staunton created the Howie rifle to perpetuate the idea of leadership and courage. According to some speculations, Major Howie might have inspired Captain Miller’s character (Tom Hanks) in the movie Saving Private Ryan. There would be similitudes in the personality but also in his activities (coach, English teacher).
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29th INFANTRY DIVISION - BLUE AND GRAY
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In a broadcast on an anniversary of V-E Day, CBS News European Correspondent Andy Rooney said in a report on the Battle of St LoMore American soldiers were killed taking Saint Lo than were killed on the beaches. A major named Tom Howie was the leader of the battalion that actually captured Saint Lo. At least he was the leader of it until he was killed just outside town. After he died, his men picked him up, carried him into town and placed him on a pile of stones that used to be the wall of a church. I guess there never was an American soldier more honored by what the people who loved him did for him after he died. There can be no doubt that Thomas Howie was a charismatic leader, a courageous soldier and a man of outstanding character. |
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Four days ago, I was placed in command of some 850-odd officers and men, a war-strength battalion, with all its weapons, vehicles and equipment; and the responsibility of some day committing them to battle perhaps from which a number may not return is a fearful thought. If that day should ever arrive, I hope I shall be as proud of them as I've always been of you. And I hope they will be well led. I cannot honestly say that I hope I shall never have that privilege and responsibility. It's something like football: somebody has to play the game; somebody has to beat the enemy. And all my life, I've tried to make the first team in everything. Sitting on the bench when game time comes is no consolation for weeks of bruising drudgery. I know. I did some bench-sitting initially in everything I set my heart on. And I've been sitting on the bench and training hard for almost three years now. Remember what I told you: sit up straight, look people in the eye, and tell the truth. With all my heart Your Daddy |
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Howie’s home |
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The Howie family |
Thomas at the military school “The Citadel” |
Thomas's brother |
Thomas & Elisabeth |
Ruin of the Holy Cross Church |
Monument in Abbeville – NORTH CAROLINA |
Monument in St Lô |
SOURCE INFORMATION & PHOTO | Clive TIRLEMONT - Findagrave.com - Ww2-derniersecret.com - Fr.slideshare.net - JM LESUEUR |
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PROGRAMMER | Garrett, Clive, Frédéric & Renaud |