Lieutenant General (US Army Retired) Howard F. Stone passed away September 11, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. He was 93 years old.

Howie was born in Monett, Missouri in 1931 to FR and Mollie Stone from Sparta, Missouri. When he was still young, the family moved to Oklahoma City. He attended Kelham Baptist Church where he put his faith in Christ at seven years old. Howie graduated from high school at Oklahoma City Central High in 1949. The following year, while studying at the University of Oklahoma for pre-law, Howie joined the army ROTC program. At the urging of his commander, he applied for an appointment at West Point. Although he was a second alternate, the Academy sent notice he would receive the appointment if he could arrive for basic training in just two days. That was Howie‘s first experience flying on an airplane.

While attending West Point he made many lifelong friends, including his wife, Helen Scott from New Orleans, whom he met on a blind date during his senior year. After graduating from West Point in 1955, Howie and Helen married in 1956. September 15th, 2024 would have been their 68th anniversary.

During his uncommon and decorated career, Howie became an Infantry officer, but also completed Airborne school, Ranger training, and fixed wing & rotary wing flight training. He patrolled the dangerous DMZ between North and South Korea; more than once he came back with bullet holes in his aircraft. He volunteered twice to go to the war in Vietnam. For his first tour he joined the Green Berets and served as the operations officer of the highly decorated 5th Special Forces Group. On his second tour as commander of 1/26 Infantry Battalion “Blue Spaders”) of the 1st Infantry Division, his helicopter was hit during an effort to remove snipers from trees. During the ensuing crash and fire, Howie was injured with a spinal fracture. However, he pulled the copilot from the burning aircraft and then went to eliminate the snipers. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Silver Star for his injury and service to his country.

Two of Howie’s favorite peace-time commands were his company in the 82nd Airborne Division and command of the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis. He loved the ability to train troops to be the best they could be. He also enjoyed work at West Point, research and development in the Pentagon, brigade command, and even a brief tour as advisor to the Iranian army until the revolution in 1979.

Howie was also Commandant of the United States Army Command and General Staff College (the Army’s postgraduate school) from 1981 to 1982. He later served as Chief of Staff of the United States European Command from 1982 until his retirement in 1985. At his retirement, although primarily an infantry officer, General Stone was the highest ranking aviator in the army at the time.

During his retirement years, Howie enjoyed salmon fishing in Canada, advising his adult children, and helping others including Vietnamese immigrants to obtain U.S. citizenship He was instrumental to help a Vietnamese student from Tumwater and other local students to get full scholarships at West Point. Howie made many new friends at his investment office at the Grange in downtown Olympia. He became such a regular at Batdorf & Bronson coffee house, they named an espresso drink after him called “The Howie.”

Howie is remembered for his strong faith in God, his love for his wife and family, and his great care for all soldiers. He was often referred to as a ”soldier’s soldier” because of his great love for them. One of his favorite quotes was from Will Rogers, “I never met a man I didn’t like.” Those who knew him well remember him for his kindness, honesty, hard work, and love of humor. He is survived by his wife, Helen; three sons, Jim (Mona), Rob (Luda) and Charlie (Mary); eight grandchildren Melanie, Croix, Grace, Madyson, Molly, Sam, Miracle and Joshua; and two great-grandchildren, Ava and Benson.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Good News Church Saturday, October 19th 3:00-5:00 p.m. He will be interred at the Arlington National Cemetery at a date yet to be determined.

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