Robert F. Howe II
Colonel(Retired) Robert F. Howe II is a proud native of Spencer, Iowa. He earned his commission as a distinguished military graduate from the University of Iowa in 1990. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Public Administration, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Colonel(Ret.) Howe served over 30 years in the U.S. Army and most recently, Commanded the storied 1 st Medical Brigade “Silver Knights.” He commanded three units in combat and deployed on several contingencies in support of U.S., Joint, and multi- national operations. Other command assignments include the 47th Combat Support Hospital, 5th Battalion, 158th General Support Aviation Battalion, and the 159th Medical Company (Air Ambulance).
Staff and other leadership assignments include: Branch Chief, Defense Support of Civil Authorities, J-3, Joint Staff; Assistant Executive Officer to The Surgeon General, Army Staff; Corps Aviation Officer, U.S. V Corps; Battalion Executive Officer, 1-214th Aviation Regiment; Small Group Instructor, Medical Center of Excellence; Battalion S3, 56th Medical Evacuation Battalion (Airborne); Operations Officer, 498th Medical Company (Air Ambulance); Platoon Leader, 3-187th Infantry Regiment (Rakkasans).
Some of his awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal and the Air Medal. He was awarded the Order of Military Medical Merit, the Order of Saint Michael (in Silver), and received The Surgeon General’s “A” Proficiency Designator. He previously served as the Aeromedical Evacuation Consultant to The Surgeon General and was inducted into the DUSTOFF Hall of Fame in 2024.
Following retirement in 2021, Mr. Howe joined the Team of Baylor Scott and White Health in Temple, Texas. He currently serves as Director, Clinic Operations. He also joined Samaritan’s Purse in 2023 and serves on their International Disaster Assistance Response Team. He and his wife enjoy volunteering in Children’s Ministry with Vista Community Church and he serves as a college military mentor for the University of Iowa.