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Thomas Dry Howie (born on April 12, 1908 in Abbeville, South Carolina) was an American army officer, killed during the Battle of Normandy during World War II, while trying to capture the French town of Saint-Lô.
Graduated in 1929 from The Citadel, where he was president of his class, star halfback on the football team and captain of the baseball team. He taught English and coached at Staunton Military Academy in Virginia; he was commissioned into the US Army Reserve in 1932 and in 1934 transferred to the Virginia National Guard's 116th Infantry Regiment, which was based at an armory in Staunton.
Howie entered active duty when the 29th Division was federalized in 1941. The unit moved to the UK in Sept 1942 and landed at Omaha Beach on D-Day; a little more than a month later, on July 13, 1944, Major Howie was assigned to command the 3d Battalion. On July 16, the 3d Battalion used hand grenades and bayonets to break through the German lines and join the 2d Battalion, which was isolated and nearly out of food and ammunition. Howie left the 2nd Battalion to defend the position, reporting that they were "too cut up", and planned to use the 3d Battalion alone to capture Saint-Lô. On the morning of July 17, Howie phoned Major General Charles Gerhardt, said "See you in St. Lo", and issued orders for the attack.
Major Howie’s executive officer later said that a barrage of mortars rained in on them at that time, and Howie was making sure that all of his men were taking cover. As his men moved, a round suddenly exploded behind them, Howie was struck in the back and die.
Andy Rooney, a war correspondent reported on the Battle of Saint Lo:
"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".
The flag-draped body of Maj. Howie rests on the rubble of the St. Lo Cathedral.
The general who had been on the phone with Howie remembered his last words, “See you in Saint Lo” and ordered his body – still dressed in combat gear – to be taken to Saint Lo. He was to be first in.
In the town of Saint Lo he became a legend. And even now, every July 18 the citizens of Saint Lo celebrate their Major.
The town of Saint-Lo erected a monument to Howie. In 1956, Collier's magazine printed a story, "The Major of St. Lo" by Cornelius Ryan.
Howie was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the French Legion of Honor; he is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery. Howie's story was prominently featured in the book Citizen Soldiers by renowned historian Stephen Ambrose; after having served as a script consultant on the movie Saving Private Ryan, he indicated that Howie was the model for the Tom Hanks character of Captain John H. Miller.
Graduated in 1929 from The Citadel, where he was president of his class, star halfback on the football team and captain of the baseball team. He taught English and coached at Staunton Military Academy in Virginia; he was commissioned into the US Army Reserve in 1932 and in 1934 transferred to the Virginia National Guard's 116th Infantry Regiment, which was based at an armory in Staunton.
Howie entered active duty when the 29th Division was federalized in 1941. The unit moved to the UK in Sept 1942 and landed at Omaha Beach on D-Day; a little more than a month later, on July 13, 1944, Major Howie was assigned to command the 3d Battalion. On July 16, the 3d Battalion used hand grenades and bayonets to break through the German lines and join the 2d Battalion, which was isolated and nearly out of food and ammunition. Howie left the 2nd Battalion to defend the position, reporting that they were "too cut up", and planned to use the 3d Battalion alone to capture Saint-Lô. On the morning of July 17, Howie phoned Major General Charles Gerhardt, said "See you in St. Lo", and issued orders for the attack.
Major Howie’s executive officer later said that a barrage of mortars rained in on them at that time, and Howie was making sure that all of his men were taking cover. As his men moved, a round suddenly exploded behind them, Howie was struck in the back and die.
Andy Rooney, a war correspondent reported on the Battle of Saint Lo:
"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".
The flag-draped body of Maj. Howie rests on the rubble of the St. Lo Cathedral.
The general who had been on the phone with Howie remembered his last words, “See you in Saint Lo” and ordered his body – still dressed in combat gear – to be taken to Saint Lo. He was to be first in.
In the town of Saint Lo he became a legend. And even now, every July 18 the citizens of Saint Lo celebrate their Major.
The town of Saint-Lo erected a monument to Howie. In 1956, Collier's magazine printed a story, "The Major of St. Lo" by Cornelius Ryan.
Howie was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the French Legion of Honor; he is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery. Howie's story was prominently featured in the book Citizen Soldiers by renowned historian Stephen Ambrose; after having served as a script consultant on the movie Saving Private Ryan, he indicated that Howie was the model for the Tom Hanks character of Captain John H. Miller.