Maj. Thomas D. Howie, The Major of St. Lô

Front: Birthplace of Thomas Dry Howie (1908-1944), World War II hero famous as "The Major of St. Lô." Abbeville High School, Class of 1925. The Citadel, Class of 1929, where he was an all-state football player and was president of his class. Coach and teacher, Staunton Military Academy, Staunton, Va., 1929-1941. Lt., 116th Inf., Va. National Guard (29th Division), 1941. Promoted to major; served at regimental H.Q. until Reverse: July 1944, when he took command of the 3rd Btn. Howie told his men, "I'll see you in St. Lô"-a major Allied objective in the weeks after D-Day. He was killed July 17, 1944, the day before American troops captured the town. In a tribute from his comrades, Howie's flag-draped body was carried into St. Lô on the lead jeep and lay in state on the rubble of St. Croix Church. "Dead in France, Deathless in Fame."