John Martin Howard
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Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Corton, Suffolk, U.K.
United StatesJohn Martin Howard | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 20, 1917 Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | June 11, 1942 (aged 24) Corton, Suffolk, U.K. |
| Buried | Buried at sea |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Rank | Ensign |
| Memorials | Plaque in St. Nicolas minister church in Great Yarmouth, England Listed on the Tablet of the Missing at the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial |
John Martin Howard (20 August 1917 – 11 June 1942) was a United States Navy officer from Pennsylvania who served during World War II as a Naval mine disposalman. He died along with Lcdr. Roy Berryman Edwards in a naval mine explosion while observing the disarming of a German mine that washed ashore in England. Howard was the first U.S. Navy mine disposal personnel killed in the war. Howard and Edwards were recognized in a special plaque in the St. Nicolas minister church in Great Yarmouth, England and the USS John M. Howard (IX-75) was named in Howard's honor.
Howard was born in Chester, Pennsylvania. He was a graduate of Media High School and studied at Admiral Farragut Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and Swarthmore College.[1] He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve on 22 June 1935.[2] In June 1937 he reported to the Naval Academy but resigned on February 7, 1939. He was behind in his studies and was recommended to be dropped, but was allowed to resign.[3] After the completion of training from 1940-1941 at the Naval Reserve Midshipman's School, Howard was appointed Ensign on 28 February 1941.[4]
On March 7, 1941, Howard graduated from the third class at the Advanced Mine School, later renamed the Mine Disposal School at the Naval Gun Factory (Washington Naval Yard). Howard was among the select members of that class that were sent to England to observe and gain experience with the Royal Navy and Royal Engineers in mine disarming and disposal. He was assigned to the Royal Navy shore establishment, H.M.S. Mirtle, in an abandoned quarry designated a Mine Investigation Range where enemy mines and other ordinance were brought to be examined in detail.[5]