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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)
Capt. John David 'Dixie' Howell, USN (Ret) obituary
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Last Updated: Sep 2, 2012
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Capt. John David 'Dixie' Howell, USN (Ret), 90, a resident of Johnson City, Washington Co TN, died Wednesday, November 25, 2009, at the Johnson City Medical Center after a lengthy illness.
He was born December 2, 1918, in Philadelphia, PA, to Sylvester Van Syckel Howell, Sr. and his wife, Nelda Bachman Howell.
He grew up in West Orange, NJ. During summer vacations as a kid he became the first captain of a two-car cable ferry on Lake Hopatcong that hauled the residents of the island to and from the mainland. In the summer before his high school graduation, he was a boiler stoker on a tugboat. He graduated from West Orange High School. His lifelong dream became a reality when he 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.
John moved to Greeneville, Greene Co TN, and became an active member of St. James Episcopal Church and also served as Past President of the Greeneville Exchange Club. He retired to Johnson City, TN, where he served as Past Exalted Ruler of B.P.O.E. Lodge #0825.
John was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Gretchen Beyer Howell; and his brother, Sylvester Van Syckel Howell, Jr.
John Howell is survived by his adoring wife of seven wonderful years, Annie Howell, of 134 Milligan View Road, Johnson City, TN; his son David Howell and his wife Janet of Lorton, VA; his daughter Wendy Howell of Hopewell, VA; his grandchildren Jennifer Howell Dillard of Joppa, MD, Daniel Howell of Fairfax, VA, and Erin Howell Smith of Woodbridge, VA; six great grandchildren; and his sister, Cynthia Cragin of Greeneville, TN.
John has donated his body to the James H. Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, Washington Co TN. His wishes were that there be no memorial or funeral service, but to celebrate his life through individual memories.
Navy Cross 
