Roger Edward Howard

Technician Fifth Grade Roger Edward Howard was killed in a motor vehicle accident in New Guinea on December 1, 1944 while on active duty during World War II.  He was 23 years old.

Roger Edward Howard was born on October 13, 1921 in Norfolk, Virginia, the son of Dorsey Arthur Howard Sr and Mary Lee Young Howard.  He graduated from Henderson Institute.

TEC5 Howard was inducted into the U.S. Army in February, 1943 and was deployed to the Pacific Theater of War in March, 1944 serving with the 1872nd Engineer Aviation Battalion.

The 1872nd Engineer Aviation Battalion was a United States Army Air Forces unit specializing in the construction, repair, and camouflage of forward airfields and related infrastructure.

By 1944 the fighting in New Guinea had entered its final phase, the Western New Guinea Campaign.  United States and Australian forces assaulted Japanese bases and positions in the northwest coastal areas of Netherlands, New Guinea and adjoining parts of the Australian Territory of New Guinea. The campaign began with Operations Reckless and Persecution which were amphibious landings by the U.S. I Corps at Hollandia and Aitape on  April 22, 1944. Fighting in western New Guinea continued until the end of the war. TEC 5 Howard was killed in a motor vehicle accident on December 1, 1945. 

TEC5 Roger Edward Howard is buried in Blacknall Cemetery, Henderson, North Carolina.  

Last edited: 30 May 2026