Robert Lee Howze

Robert Lee Howze (August 22, 1864 – September 19, 1926) was a United States Army major general who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions during the American Indian Wars.

Robert Lee Howze
Howze as a major general
Born(1864-08-22)August 22, 1864
Overton, Texas
DiedSeptember 19, 1926(1926-09-19) (aged 62)
Columbus, Ohio
Buried
West Point Cemetery
(41.39896, −73.96729)
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1888–1926
RankMajor General
Commands held38th Division
3rd Division
Third United States Army
1st Cavalry Division
Fifth Corps Area
Battles/warsIndian Wars
Spanish–American War
Philippine–American War
World War I
AwardsMedal of Honor
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star (2)
Legion of Honour (France)
Croix de Guerre (France)
RelationsMajor General Robert Lee Howze Jr. (son)
General Hamilton H. Howze (son)

Howze graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1888 and then accepted a commission to the United States Army. He first served in the Indian Wars, then served in the Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War and World War I. His last assignment was presiding over the courts-martial of Colonel Billy Mitchell.

Early life
Howze as a West Point cadet

Howze was born to Captain James A. Howze, of the 14th Texas Cavalry, and Amanda Hamilton Howze in Overton, Rusk County, Texas. After graduating from Hubbard College in 1883,[1] he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and was in the graduating class of 1888.[2]

Military career

Howze participated in the Pine Ridge Campaign from November 1890 to January 1891. On January 1, 1891, the 6th Cavalry crossed the frozen White River in South Dakota to engage a group of Brulé Sioux. It was for this action he was presented with the Medal of Honor.[3][4]

Howze married Anne Chiffelle Hawkins, daughter of General Hamilton S. Hawkins, on February 24, 1897.[4]

At the outbreak of the Spanish–American War, Howze, now a cavalry captain, was made adjutant general of the cavalry in Cuba. Upon his return to the United States, he was appointed lieutenant colonel of volunteers and commanded the Thirty-fourth Volunteer Infantry throughout the Philippine Insurrection. He was promoted to captain in the United States Army on February 2, 1901; to brigadier general of volunteers on June 20, 1901; and to major of the Puerto Rico provincial regiment of infantry in 1901.[1] He received two Silver Citation Stars (converted in 1932 to the Silver Star decoration) for actions respectively in Cuba and the Philippines.

In 1905, Howze was appointed Commandant of Cadets at West Point, remaining in that post until 1909. In 1907 he threatened to discharge an entire class from the Academy over a hazing incident.[5] Howze was a major in the 11th Cavalry during General John J. Pershing's Punitive Expedition into Mexico in 1916.[4]

During World War I Howze was promoted to major general and placed in command of the 38th Infantry Division, which fought in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in October 1918. He served as commander of the 3rd Division during their march on the Rhine River, and commanded the Third Army of Occupation in Germany in 1919. He was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the French Croix de Guerre, and French Legion of Honor for his service in command of the Third Army.[4]

Howze died September 19, 1926,[6] and is buried in the United States Military Academy Cemetery at West Point, New York.[7]

Court-martial of Billy Mitchell

Howze's last assignment was to preside over the court-martial of Colonel Billy Mitchell, who had made public comments in response to the Navy dirigible USS Shenandoah crashing in a storm.[8] The crash killed 14 of the crew and Mitchell issued a statement accusing senior leaders in the Army and Navy of incompetence and "almost treasonable administration of the national defense."[9] In November 1925 he was court-martialed at the direct order of President Calvin Coolidge. The trial attracted significant interest, and public opinion supported Mitchell.[10] The court found Mitchell guilty of insubordination, and suspended him from active duty for five years without pay.[11] The generals ruling in the case wrote, "The Court is thus lenient because of the military record of the Accused during the World War."[12] On February 1, 1926 Mitchell resigned in-lieu of accepting the courts punishment.[11]

A scene taken from Mitchell's court-martial, 1925.

Military awards

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, Company K, 6th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At White River, S. Dak., 1 January 1891. Entered service at: Overton, Rusk County, Tex. Born: 22 August 1864, Overton, Rusk County, Tex. Date of issue: 25 July 1891.[3]

Citation:

Bravery in action.[2]

Army Distinguished Service Medal citation

Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Robert Lee Howze, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Commander of the 3d Division on its march to the Rhine and during the occupation of the enemy territory General Howze proved himself energetic and capable, exhibiting superb qualities of leadership. He maintained an unusually high standard of efficiency in his unit, rendering eminently conspicuous service as a Division Commander.[2]

Namesakes

Camp Howze

There were two military installations named in honor of General Howze.

Camp Howze, Texas, was a large World War II training facility near Gainesville, Texas.[4]

Camp Howze, South Korea, was a US Army installation located off Main Supply Route (MSR) 1 near the towns of Kumchon and Paju-Ri.[13]

USS General R. L. Howze (AP-134)

The USS General R. L. Howze (AP-134), launched May 1943, was named in his honor.

Relations

Two of his sons graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and became generals: Major General Robert Lee Howze Jr., Class of 1925, and General Hamilton H. Howze, Class of 1930.[4]

See also

References
 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
Citations
  1. "HOWZE, ROBERT LEE". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved Dec 6, 2011.
  2. "Robert Lee Howze". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  3. "Medal of Honor recipients Indian Wars Period". Army Center of Military History. Retrieved April 12, 2009.
  4. "Robert Lee Howze". Texas State Cemetery. Retrieved April 12, 2009.
  5. "West Point CLASS MAY BE DISMISSED; Col. Howze Threatens to Discipline All the "Plebes" for Hazing. SILENT TREATMENT' GIVEN Bock of Illinois Complained of Sherman of Georgia and His Class Resented It". The New York Times. September 6, 1907. Retrieved April 12, 2009.
  6. Davis, Jr., Henry Blaine (1998). Generals in Khaki. Pentland Press, Inc. p. 190. ISBN 1571970886. OCLC 40298151
  7. "Robert Lee Howze". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved May 4, 2009.
  8. Goldstein, Richard (December 18, 1998). "Gen. H.H. Howze, 89, Dies; Proposed Copters as Cavalry". The New York Times. Retrieved April 12, 2009.
  9. Tate, Dr. James P., Lt Col USAF, Retired (1998). The Army and Its Air Corps: Army Policy toward Aviation, 1919–1941. Air University Press.
  10. Maksel 2009, p. 48.
  11. Maxwell AFB. American Airpower Biography. Billy Mitchell
  12. Maksel 2009, p. 49.
  13. "Camp Howze". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
Bibliography

Further reading
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