Beyond the Call of Duty

The Life of Colonel Robert Howard, America's Most Decorated Green Beret

By: Stephen L. Moore

Narrated by: Johnny Heller

As a child, Robert Howard was taught by his Granny Callie to always face his threats head-on. Some thirty years later, he emerged from the Vietnam War as America’s most decorated Green Beret.

For the first time, Robert Howard’s story is being told in full. Respected military historian Stephen L. Moore takes readers into the heart of the Vietnam War's covert Special Ops jungle warfare in this immersive, suspenseful read. Through family sources, National Archives documents, and dozens of testimonials from the Green Berets who fought alongside him, this “one-man army” will finally be given the recognition he deserves.

Robert Howard grew up in poverty in a small town in Alabama, with a strong sense of faith and determination. When he enlisted in the army at age seventeen, his Granny Callie’s words echoed in his head, and he pledged to follow them to the bitter end. In the most dire of combat experiences, Howard ran directly toward his opponents, sacrificing his body to protect others and to complete the mission above all else. Time and time again, he survived battles that should have claimed his life, suffering countless bullets, a spinal injury, and shrapnel and blast wounds. Recon commanders who ran missions with him declared him to be the bravest man they had ever met.

In return, Howard received a staggering number of awards and ribbons for valor and distinctive service in combat—over fifty in all, including the Medal of Honor, eight Purple Hearts, the Distinguished Service Cross, a Silver Star, and four Bronze Stars. He holds the distinction of being the only soldier nominated for the Medal of Honor three times in only a thirteen-month period. In total, Howard spent a grueling, treacherous forty months in combat duty in Vietnam, including over two years with MACV-SOG’s elite covert group.

Critic reviews

“The story of the life, military achievements, and battle scars of one resilient Green Beret... This well-written account of Howard’s years of service, from 1956 to 1992, also offers a solid overview of U.S. Special Forces missions—most of which the elite soldiers ended up winning. Viewed more broadly, Beyond the Call of Duty makes a persuasive case for the argument that it was the generals, not the brave and relentless grunts on the ground like Howard, who lost the Vietnam War.”
—The Wall Street Journal

“Beyond the Call of Duty is written in a you-are-there manner... The work’s strength is in the descriptions of Howard’s Vietnam experiences. The book is well researched... Moore has written a page-turning biography rather than an academic work.”
—ARMY Magazine

“A long-awaited biography of the most decorated Special Forces soldier of all time. SFC Robert Howard's exploits are unique and legendary, and almost mythical, but this was a soldier’s soldier.”
—Master Sergeant Jack Crossman, US Army (Ret.)

“Bob Howard was idolized by every recon man at FOB-2, so I give great credit to Stephen Moore for this fine memorial to the most valiant man I ever met. I’m especially grateful for the comprehensive action-packed battle accounts.”
—Lieutenant Colonel Ed Wolcoff, MACV-SOG team leader and author of Special Reconnaissance and Advanced Small Unit Patrolling

“At last, we now have a solid book about the tours of one of the most heroic SOG warriors of the Vietnam War.”
—John Stryker Meyer, MACV-SOG team leader and author of Across the Fence: The Secret War in Vietnam

“What makes this book so inviting is the amount of detail Moore offers through an incredible amount of research and a seasoned approach to storytelling... Moore’s chronicle depicts Howard’s odyssey in such detail that the reader experiences first-hand the extraordinary accomplishments of this great American hero.”
—Booklist

Inspiring

I’ve read many stories about war. This one just seemed to be more genuine. He was a great soldier

Superman’s hero

This guy puts Superman to shame! Physically and mentally he was a Soldier’s Soldier. It’s almost unbelievable the things he survived and did in his career. What an amazing man and an amazing story! Wow!

It’s a real good book, but…

It’s definitely a good book. Any book on MACVSOG, is very interesting. But, a lot of the details in the book are questionable, or wrong. Nothing about Bob Howard, per se, but certain details of missions. Other Visa books, standard odds the authors’ facts. And they speak of the same missions, with details different than ones in this book… but are in line with other books on the same subject.
Still, worth the read.

A hard man to kill

Well written and narrated - graphic and real. The author appropriately goes into detail on military jargon and field craft to bring greenies up to speed. I wish the author had given more background on the “nards” and the bond shared by those under close combat. Great read about a great breed.

Humbling leadership example

Bob Howard has been someone I have looked up to as a Special Forces soldier. I am glad to have been able to learn more about a man who is an icon within my community. He was a great American who loved his country and the men who served with him and those who volunteer to serve our great nation. We are lucky to have men like him who made/make our military what it is today. God bless America!