Capt. John David 'Dixie' Howell, USN (Ret), 90, PA/TN, obituary; Bachman-Howell
Capt. John David 'Dixie' Howell, USN (Ret), 90, a resident
of Johnson City, Washington Co TN, died Wednesday,
November 25, 2009, at the Johnson City Medical Center
after a lengthy illness.
He was born December 2, 1918, in Philadelphia, PA, to
Sylvester Van Syckel Howell, Sr. and his wife, Nelda
Bachman Howell.
He grew up in West Orange, NJ. During summer vacations as
a kid he became the first captain of a two-car cable ferry
on Lake Hopatcong that hauled the residents of the island
to and from the mainland. In the summer before his high
school graduation, he was a boiler stoker on a tugboat. He
graduated from West Orange High School. His lifelong dream
became a reality when he was appointed to the United
States Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Maryland and was
graduated in the class of 1940 with top honors.
During World War II, John, a naval officer, saw action in
the Pacific theater. As Plotting Officer aboard the USS
Boise (CL-47) he was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic
measures during action against enemy Japanese naval forces
off Savo Island during the Battle of Cape Esperance on the
night of October 11, 1942. After most efficiently
performing his duties in Plot during action, Lieutenant
Howell left Plot of his own volition, when the ship broke
off the action, and entered the Five-inch magazines. Here
he organized working parties to shift five-inch ammunition
from flooding magazines to dry ones, thereby saving many
rounds of ammunition. He had all magazine doors securely
dogged which prevented further flooding. As Plotting Room
Officer Lieutenant Howell knew the dangerous condition the
ship was in, yet he did not hesitate to enter the danger
area and do all in his power to save the ship, at the risk
of his own life. He also received the Purple Heart Medal
for injuries sustained during battle.
He became a Naval Aviator and participated in Operation
Highjump as part of Admiral Richard Byrd’s 1946-1947
Antarctic Expedition. He served on the aircraft carriers
USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) and USS Hancock (CV-19). As
Captain, John Howell re-commissioned the tanker USS
Kaskaskia (AO-27), participating in the sea recovery for
NASA’s Project Mercury and the Cuban Missile Crisis naval
blockade.
John retired from the Navy with the rank of Captain. He
later became a Master in the Merchant Marines. As Master,
he captained large commercial ships throughout the world.
John moved to Greeneville, Greene Co TN, and became an
active member of St. James Episcopal Church and also
served as Past President of the Greeneville Exchange Club.
He retired to Johnson City, TN, where he served as Past
Exalted Ruler of B.P.O.E. Lodge #0825.
John was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years,
Gretchen Beyer Howell; and his brother, Sylvester Van
Syckel Howell, Jr.
John Howell is survived by his adoring wife of seven
wonderful years, Annie Howell, of 134 Milligan View Road,
Johnson City, TN; his son David Howell and his wife Janet
of Lorton, VA; his daughter Wendy Howell of Hopewell, VA;
his grandchildren Jennifer Howell Dillard of Joppa, MD,
Daniel Howell of Fairfax, VA, and Erin Howell Smith of
Woodbridge, VA; six great grandchildren; and his sister,
Cynthia Cragin of Greeneville, TN.
John has donated his body to the James H. Quillen College
of Medicine, Johnson City, Washington Co TN. His wishes
were that there be no memorial or funeral service, but to
celebrate his life through individual memories.