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Contact Info
Home Town Syracuse, New York
Last Address Orlando, Orange County, Florida Buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Date of Passing Oct 21, 2006
Location of Interment Alexandria National Cemetery (VA) - Alexandria, Virginia
PABST, HOWARD L., CAPT. USN (RET.), was born in Syracuse, New York July 26, 1936, died October 21, 2006, age 70. He was the son of Merle W. and Eunice Pabst. He enlisted in the Navy in 1953 and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1958.
Following graduation he served consecutively in USS Perry DD-844, USS Dewey DLG-14, USS Biddle DDG-5. Following studies at the Naval Post Graduate School and a tour of duty at the U. S. Naval Academy, Capt. Pabst commanded the USS Noxubee AOG-56. During this time he participated in primary logistics support operations for U.S. forces in South Vietnam. From 1967 to 1969 he served as Executive Officer in USS Richard E. Byrd DDG-23. Following duty with the staff of Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. He served with Naval Advisory Group, republic of Vietnam as the Assistant Senior Advisor to the Vietnamese Fleet Commander. Capt. Pabst was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V" for meritorious achievement in this assignment. Following graduation from the Naval War College, during which he earned a Masters Degree in International Affairs, he commanded USS Somers DDG-34. From then until late 1981 he served on the Staff of The Chief of Naval Operations under the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Surface Warfare. He assumed duties as Chief Staff Officer at the Naval Education and Training Center, Newport, RI. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. He was Commanding Officer to Service School Command, Orlando, and retired from that assignment in 1983 after 30 years of service to his country.
Funeral services were held at the Arlington National Cemetery.
Other Comments:
Vietnam War/Consolidation II Campaign (71-72)
From Month/Year
December / 1971
To Month/Year
March / 1972
Description This Campaign was from 1 December 1971 to 29 March 1972. The allies completed the last major phase of the ACTOVLOG program in early 1972 when the Vietnamese Navy took over the former centers of American naval power in South Vietnam, the Logistic Support Bases at Nha Be, Binh Thuy, Cam Ranh Bay, and Danang. The Navy's other Vietnamization projects lasted until the total withdrawal of American forces from South Vietnam in March 1973. Construction and turnover of the last of 16 coastal radar sites (one on board a station ship) was completed in August 1972. Further, COMNAVFORV erected over 4,500 shelters for Vietnamese Navy personnel and their families. American planners hoped these better living conditions would strengthen the morale of Vietnamese sailors. U.S. personnel completely restructured and streamlined the allied navy's supply system, with special attention devoted to the Naval Supply Center at Saigon. After an intensive $8 million effort with the help of American civilians, the Naval Advisory Group improved management procedures, developed a skilled work force, and modernized the industrial plant at the Saigon Naval Shipyard. By early 1972, the Vietnamese facility had finished building 58 ferrocement junks, reconditioned hundreds of newly acquired river craft, and achieved the ability to overhaul all of the Vietnamese Navy's seagoing ships in-country, a major goal of the advisory program.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
December / 1971
To Month/Year
March / 1972
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories USS Noxubee AOG-56 Multiple Operations 1967 Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase II Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase III
Naval Advisory Group, Vietnam. Multiple Operations 1971 Consolidation I Multiple Operations 1972 Consolidation II
