Albert R. Howard was born December 28, 1924 in Cullman County and listed Cullman as his hometown. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces and served during World War II, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant. Howard was a Central Gunner attached to the 29th Bomber Group, Very Heavy, 6th Bomber Squadron.
According to honorstates.org., “On May 5, 1945, Howard was on the crew of the B-29A Superfortress #42-93953 when they took off from North Field on Guam for a precision bombing mission against Tachiarai Airfield at Kyushu, Japan. They were shot down by Japanese aircraft and crashed, probably at sea.”
“Some of the men were able to bail out, and were captured and later executed on June 20, 1945, shot or beheaded while POW’s.” Howard is one of 11 U.S service members thought to be related to this incident, #42-93953.”
Howard was reported missing and eventually declared dead on May 5, 1945, and recorded as Missing in Action or Lost at Sea. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Air Medal and is memorialized at Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii. He is also memorialized at the Cullman County Veterans Park Memorial.
