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Home Town Philadelphia and West Orange, New Jersey
Last Address Capt. John David 'Dixie' Howell, USN (Ret), 90, of Johnson City, TN, died Wednesday, November 25, 2009, at the Johnson City Medical Center after a lengthy illness. John donated his body to the James H. Quillen College of Medicine.
Date of Passing Nov 25, 2009
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Capt. John David 'Dixie' Howell, USN
John Howell was appointed to the United States Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Maryland and was graduated in the class of 1940 with top honors.
During World War II, John, a naval officer, saw action in the Pacific theater. As Plotting Officer aboard the USS Boise (CL-47) he was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic measures during action against enemy Japanese naval forces off Savo Island during the Battle of Cape Esperance on the night of October 11, 1942. After most efficiently performing his duties in Plot during action, Lieutenant Howell left Plot of his own volition, when the ship broke off the action, and entered the Five-inch magazines. Here he organized working parties to shift five-inch ammunition from flooding magazines to dry ones, thereby saving many rounds of ammunition. He had all magazine doors securely dogged which prevented further flooding. As Plotting Room Officer Lieutenant Howell knew the dangerous condition the ship was in, yet he did not hesitate to enter the danger area and do all in his power to save the ship, at the risk of his own life. He also received the Purple Heart Medal for injuries sustained during battle.
He became a Naval Aviator and participated in Operation Highjump as part of Admiral Richard Byrd’s 1946-1947 Antarctic Expedition. He served on the aircraft carriers USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) and USS Hancock (CV-19). As Captain, John Howell re-commissioned the tanker USS Kaskaskia (AO-27), participating in the sea recovery for NASA’s Project Mercury and the Cuban Missile Crisis naval blockade.
John retired from the Navy with the rank of Captain. He later became a Master in the Merchant Marines. As Master, he captained large commercial ships throughout the world.
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Navy Cross
Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant John David Howell, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Plotting Room Officer on board the Light Cruiser U.S.S. BOISE (CL-47), during action against enemy Japanese naval forces off Savo Island during the Battle of Cape Esperance on the night of 11 - 12 October 1942. After most efficiently performing his duties in Plot during action, Lieutenant Howell left Plot of his own volition, when the ship broke off the action, and entered the Five-inch magazines. Here he organized working parties to shift five-inch ammunition from flooding magazines to dry ones, thereby saving many rounds of ammunition. He had all magazine doors securely dogged which prevented further flooding. As Plotting Room Officer Lieutenant Howell know the dangerous condition the ship was in, yet he did not hesitate to enter the danger area and do all in his power to save the ship, at the risk of his own life. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.
Action Date: October 11 - 12, 1942 Service: Navy Rank: Lieutenant Company: Plotting Room Officer Division: U.S.S. Boise (CL-47)
Cold War Event - Cuban Blockade
From Month/Year
October / 1962
To Month/Year
November / 1962
Description The blockade began October 21 and, the next day, Kennedy delivered a public address alerting Americans to the situation. In his speech, he warned a frightened American public that the missiles on Cuba were capable of hitting Washington, D.C. or anywhere in the southeastern portion of the country, the Panama Canal, Mexico City or “as far north as Hudson Bay, Canada, and as far south as Lima, Peru.” A military confrontation appeared imminent when Kennedy told his audience that he ordered the evacuation of the U.S. base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and put military units on standby. Boldly, he stated, “one path we shall never choose is the path of surrender or submission.”
Khrushchev responded by sending additional ships—possibly carrying military cargo—toward Cuba and by allowing construction at the missile sites to continue. Over the following six days, the Cuban Missile Crisis, as it is now known, brought the world to the brink of global nuclear war while the two leaders engaged in tense negotiations via telegram and letter.
Fortunately by October 28, Kennedy and Khrushchev had reached a settlement and people on both sides of the conflict breathed a collective but wary sigh of relief. The Cuban missile sites were dismantled and, in return, Kennedy agreed to close U.S. missile sites in Turkey.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
October / 1962
To Month/Year
November / 1962
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories The Berlin Crisis of 1961 necessitated the reactivation of ships and Kaskaskia was reinstated 8 September. Following overhaul and alterations she recommissioned at Hoboken, New Jersey, 6 December, Captain John D. Howell in command. After shakedown operations in the Caribbean, the oiler arrived Mayport, Florida, 1 May 1962. Throughout the summer she engaged in exercises off the Florida Coast, and sailed to the Azores to participate in Project Mercury, manned orbital flights. She was in company with USS Kearsarge (CV-33) during the latter's recovery of Astronaut Walter Schirra 3 October, demonstrating the large role of the Navy in space operations. Kaskaskia return to Mayport 22 October and two days later sailed to participate in the Cuban blockade. President John F. Kennedy ordered the blockade when the Soviet Union tried to plant offensive missiles only 90 miles (140 km) from the United States. The naval pressure persuaded the Soviet Union to withdraw the missiles, easing the crisis. The oiler returned to operations out of Mayport 21 November.