Casey Howe
Sergeant First Class, United States Army
August 13, 1973 – September 26, 2005
Age – 32
Deford, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom
3rd Battalion, 314th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 78th Division, Fort Drum, NY
Died of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during combat actions near Rustimayah, Iraq
A native of Michigan’s Thumb who was on his second tour of duty in Iraq with the Army was killed while on patrol, military officials say. Sgt. 1st Class Casey E. Howe, a 32-year-old native of Deford, was part of a convoy headed to join an Iraqi contingent when his patrol hit an improvised explosive device.
When his mother asked him what he wanted for Christmas this year, Casey E. Howe’s reply was simple. “Mom, all I want to do is come home and see you guys for Christmas,” said Howe. “I have everything I want now.” Howe joined the Army 14 years ago after attending Soumi College. He enjoyed camping, playing horseshoes and teasing his mother by calling her “foxy momma.”
In high school, Howe was a member of the wrestling team and was team captain during his senior year in 1991. He also was runner-up in the league’s 130-pound weight class his junior year. “He’d give everything he had when he walked out onto the mat,” former coach Donald Markel said. “There were often times when I would put him into situations where we knew he would have a tough match, but he accepted those kinds of challenges where some kids would shy away. He was the type of person you could really enjoy being around. He wasn’t a jokester, but he had a unique perspective on things that would absolutely bring a smile to people’s faces.”
In his last conversation with his father, Howe talked of looking forward to spending his retirement in the Upper Peninsula fishing and hunting. “He had six more years (in the Army) and we were going to get a cottage and go fishing and hunting.”
He was remembered as follows by one of his fellow soldiers.
“To All. I spent the better part of three years hanging with and being a part of the Howe family while we were stationed in Hawaii. I was a single soldier and his family was mine, So he made me feel. To tell the closeness I had with him and his family would take forever but I will say this. I was there when he was engaged, hitched, birth, and baptism of his first child. I checked on his family while he was in PLDC and made sure they were safe. But most of all I have woke up on his couch many times not recalling how I got there (haha) but always knowing if I as out with the Howe’s I need not worry about getting home safe. Saying this, I am not special but just one of many single soldiers that Casey took care of like brothers reared in the same dwelling.
I have picture of (at the time) Cpl Howe laying in the woods at FT. Polk JRTC on a medic litter with a manual in his hands ruck under his head and a huge grin on his face while looking back at me over his shoulder. The picture was taken to prove you can’t trust the FDC. You see I was up for about two days and while on patrol I “acquired” and hide the litter to sleep on when they call for down tim e(a luxury to any one in the know).
Making my way to the litter I started to laugh when I heard his voice say “You taka my couch, I taka you litter” in a god father kinda accent. My point is he always could make you laugh even when it was the last thing you wanted to do. He touch the hearts of many. The kindest man I ever knew. Freedom lost a Hero but his Memory will never be forgotten. God bless him and his family, keep them safe and his memory strong.
You will find him at the right hand of the almighty(or in his rack).”
SSG Luther G. Lewis of Newnan, GA
Another soldier remembered him –
“Casey I know you are in heaven taking care of as many people as you did down here. Gracing them every day with your warming smile and friendly laugh. It was my greatest honor to have served all those years with you. And your impression will be left on this earth for many years to come. To all his friends and family, I know there is nothing I could ever say to console your grieving but my deepest feelings go out to you in this hard time. If there is ever anything I could do. All you would have to do is ask. Casey was the greatest friend someone could have and I will never forget him. I am sorry for your loss. To all of Casey’s family thank you of letting me be a part of the service it was my honor to be able to pay my respect to one of the greatest Non Commisioned Officers and best friends the world has ever seen. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. God bless all of you.”
SSG Shawn G. Robb of San Antonio, Tx.