Alun R Howells
Date of Death: 08/13/2007
Age: 20
Incident Location: Baghdad, Iraq
Hometown: Menomonie
Branch of Service: Army
Unit: 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division
Unit Base: Fort Stewart, Georgia
SPC Alun R. Howells began his military career in January 2006 at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and, having completed his training in May 2006, he was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Ga., where he was welcomed into Echo Company, 1st Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment.
He left Fort Stewart for Iraq in May 2007 and was killed in action in Baghdad on Aug. 13, 2007, at the age of 20. He became a SPC posthumously and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.
Alun Howells was born into a military family on Jan. 15, 1987, at the British Military Hospital in Rinteln, Germany. His father grew up in Porthmadog, Wales, and his mother grew up in Hays, Kan. In a very short period, Alun moved all over the world and spent time in Germany, Brunei, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. When his father, Gwyn, retired from the military, the family moved to live in Gunnison, Colo.
While in Gunnison, Alun was able to take full advantage of the outdoor experiences that were on offer. He enjoyed fly fishing, climbing, hiking, mountain biking, skiing and snow boarding. He participated in 4-H when he was younger. In his sophomore year, he entered the Gunnison Valley School, which emphasized experiential education. While at the school he blossomed and was thought to be an extraordinary student by the teaching staff. As time progressed, he became a committed student leader and a tremendous advocate for the students who came to the school. Having completed his high school education early in December 2004, he moved to Menomonie, WI, where his family had relocated.
He left Fort Stewart for Iraq in May 2007 and was killed in action in Baghdad on Aug. 13, 2007, at the age of 20. He became a SPC posthumously and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.
Alun Howells was born into a military family on Jan. 15, 1987, at the British Military Hospital in Rinteln, Germany. His father grew up in Porthmadog, Wales, and his mother grew up in Hays, Kan. In a very short period, Alun moved all over the world and spent time in Germany, Brunei, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. When his father, Gwyn, retired from the military, the family moved to live in Gunnison, Colo.
While in Gunnison, Alun was able to take full advantage of the outdoor experiences that were on offer. He enjoyed fly fishing, climbing, hiking, mountain biking, skiing and snow boarding. He participated in 4-H when he was younger. In his sophomore year, he entered the Gunnison Valley School, which emphasized experiential education. While at the school he blossomed and was thought to be an extraordinary student by the teaching staff. As time progressed, he became a committed student leader and a tremendous advocate for the students who came to the school. Having completed his high school education early in December 2004, he moved to Menomonie, WI, where his family had relocated.