John B. Lt. Col. Howell

John was born in Anna, Texas, and was reared in Sherman and Dennison. He married Mildred Copeland of McKinney, Texas, on December 13, 1941one week after the attack on Pearl Harbor. John was called to active duty in the Army Air Corps in 1942 as an enlisted glider pilot. The following year he joined the Aviation Cadet Program and graduated at Moore Field, Mission, Texas, as a fighter pilot and went on to P-47 transition at Williams Field, Arizona.

After World War II, he served in occupied Japan and was there when the Korean War broke out on a Saturday night. The following Monday he was in Pusan as the fourth USAF officer to arrive after the North Koreans crossed the 38th parallel. He served there as a pilot and as Port Liaison Officer. The hectic events of those first days of the war are recorded in his personal book, "A Journey", that was accepted for the Air Force Museum archives as well as several other military museums.

John served most of his career in the Military Air Transport Service, later the Military Airlift Command, as pilot and staff officer. He also served in the Systems Command as a part of Nuclear Field Operations, participating in the drop tests at Eniwetok and Christmas Island as well as underground tests in Nevada and other sites. John's last overseas service was in Viet Nam where he flew 105 combat missions. He retired from the Air Force in 1972 after logging over 5500 flying hours, 692 in combat. In addition to numerous service and commendation awards, John received the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal with four OLC's, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

After retiring to Austin, Texas, John didn't slow down as he formed Howell Properties, a successful real estate investment company. For the next twenty two years, he enjoyed his business, his Catalina sailboat on Lake Travis and his many hours flying his Piper Archer out of Georgetown, Texas. In 1995, the Howell's retired again and moved to Air Force Village II where John never tired of telling people what a wonderful place they had chosen.

John is survived by the light of his life, Mildred "Millie" and their three daughters, Linda Fleischer, Donna Foster husband, Cameron and Debbie Marlin husband, Jim. Also surviving are grandson, Mark Fleischer, and granddaughters, Michelle Gallagher husband, Ben, Shaina Oliver and Megan Jacobson husband, Justin. John's great grandsons are Trey and Andrew Gallagher.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2011

10:00 A.M.

FORT SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

1520 HARRY WURZBACH

MEMORIAL SERVICE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2011

2:00 P.M.

AIR FORCE VILLAGE II CHAPEL

5100 JOHN D. RYAN BLVD