Calvin Daniel Howison

Birth:
22 May 1935

Death:
29 July 1967

Veteran of:
Vietnam War – KIA

Died aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal, off the coast of Vietnam, as a result of a misfire of a Zuni rocket explosion on the flight deck, along with his step-son James Edward Newkirk.

Branch of Service: US Navy
Rank: Petty Officer
Occupational Specialty: Aviation Electrician’s Mate Second Class
Dates of Service:
Unit: USS Forrestal, VF-11, TF 77
Locations: Yankee Station, North Vietnam

Training: Unknown

Awards & Medals: Navy and Marine Corps Medal

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Aviation Electrician’s Mate Second Class Calvin Daniel Howison (NSN: 9716775), United States Navy, for heroism on 29 July 1967, while serving with a fighter squadron embarked in U.S.S. FORRESTAL (CVA-59). Exercising outstanding courage and leadership, Petty Officer Howison remained within a burning compartment effecting a safe escape for many of his shipmates despite continuing explosions. He was overcome by the fire, sacrificing his own life so that others might live.

General Orders: All Hands (September 1968)

Unit Information: In July 1967, a fire broke out on board the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal. An electrical anomaly had caused the discharge of a Zuni rocket on the flight deck, triggering a chain-reaction of explosions that killed 134 sailors and injured 161. At the time, Forrestal was engaged in combat operations in the Gulf of Tonkin, during the Vietnam War. The ship survived, but with massive damage.

PID: 2H23-NYV – Service Number: 9716775
Find-A-Grave Memorial
Relation: Step father of 6th cousin once removed