Hugh W. Howard
Official portrait, 2020
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1990–2022
RankRear Admiral
Commands heldUnited States Naval Special Warfare Command
Special Operations Command Central
SEAL Team Six
Battles/warsWar in Afghanistan
Iraq War
AwardsSilver Star
Defense Superior Service Medal (4)
Legion of Merit (3)
Bronze Star Medal (4)

Hugh W. Howard III is a retired United States Navy rear admiral who commanded the United States Naval Special Warfare Command from September 11, 2020 until August 19, 2022. He was previously the Commander of Special Operations Command Central from July 19, 2018, to July 20, 2020.[1][2][3][4]

Military career

Howard graduated from the Naval Academy in 1990 and received a commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy. He volunteered for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado and graduated with BUD/S class 172 in February 1991.[5] His first operational assignment was with SEAL Team EIGHT at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek. Following SEAL Tactical Training (STT) and completion of six month probationary period, he received the 1130 designator as a Naval Special Warfare Officer, entitled to wear the Special Warfare insignia also known as "SEAL Trident". In 1998, Howard volunteered for assignment to Naval Special Warfare Development Group (commonly known as DEVGRU or SEAL Team Six), in Dam Neck, Virginia and completed a specialized selection and training course. He then served with the command as troop commander, squadron operations officer until 2003 during which time he planned, rehearsed and operated during classified exercises and operations. Howard served with JSOC as operations officer in 2005. Howard later returned to DEVGRU in 2006 as squadron commander of Red Squadron till 2009. At DEVGRU he also held numerous leadership positions including squadron operations officer, deputy commanding officer and commanding officer of Naval Special Warfare Development Group from 2011–2013. Howard earned a Master of Arts degree at the Naval War College in 2010. He recently commanded Special Operations Command Central, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida from 2018 to 2020 following assignment as assistant commander, Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina from 2016 to 2018. Howard’s awards include the Silver Star, four Bronze Stars with Combat Distinguishing Device, six Defense Superior Service Medals, three Legions of Merit, the Navy Combat Actions Ribbon, five Presidential Unit Citations, and four Joint Meritorious Unit Awards.

Awards and decorations

Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Gold star
Gold star
V
Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
Bronze star
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Badge SEAL Insignia
1st Row Silver Star Defense Superior Service Medal
2nd Row Legion of Merit w/ 2 awards stars Bronze Star Medal w/ 4 award stars Defense Meritorious Service Medal w/ oak leaf cluster
3rd Row Meritorious Service Medal w/ 1 award star Joint Service Commendation Medal Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
4th Row Combat Action Ribbon Navy Presidential Unit Citation w/ 1 bronze service star Joint Meritorious Unit Award w/ oak leaf cluster
5th Row Navy Unit Commendation Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Navy E Ribbon w/ 2 Battle "E" devices
6th Row Navy Expeditionary Medal National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
7th Row Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ 2 campaign stars Iraq Campaign Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
8th Row Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 4 service stars Overseas Service Ribbon
9th row NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia Rifle Marksmanship Medal Pistol Marksmanship Medal
Badge Naval Parachutist insignia

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Government.

  1. "Rear Admiral Hugh W. Howard III". www.navy.mil. Archived from the original on May 8, 2021.
  2. "Rear Adm. Hugh W. Howard III to lead Memorial Day parades". Boothbay Register.
  3. "Navy SEALs to shift from counterterrorism to global threats". NBC News. April 28, 2021.
  4. Walsh, Steve (September 23, 2020). "Navy SEAL Chief Who Defied Trump Steps Down For New Assignment". KPBS Public Media.
  5. "NSW LEADERSHIP". Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
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