Arturo E. Howard, Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Coast Guard, Washington, DC

Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Arturo E. Howard has been selected for this honor for persistent and selfless dedication to the U.S. Coast Guard and to his community throughout his exemplary career. He was born in Colombia in 1967 and always dreamed of living a more adventurous life. CWO Howard joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1995 and has held numerous leadership positions.

While assigned to Coast Guard Patrol Forces South West Asia and working in the Middle East, CWO Howard trained and certified over 500 U.S. Department of Defense, British Royal Marine, Bahraini Coast Guard, and Iraqi Marine personnel in vessel boarding tactics and techniques. Additionally, working closely with the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, CWO Howard developed the plans and materials required to build the 4,500 square foot Iraqi Navy Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure Training Facility in Southern Iraq. For his distinguished performance, CWO Howard received two of his highest personal awards, the Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal and the Joint Service Achievement Medal.

In addition to distinguishing himself during assignments, CWO Howard is actively involved in the Coast Guard’s Chief Warrant Officer Association as the liaison to the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, DC. He has volunteered numerous hours working to improve the quality of life for the residents of the retirement home.

CWO Howard became a naturalized citizen in 1998.