South Carolina Hall Of Fame: Maj. Thomas Dry Howie

Major Thomas Dry Howie was a World War II hero who was killed during the Normandy campaign. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, French Legion of Honor, French Fourragere, and Combat Infantry Badge. Howie was born in Abbeville, South Carolina. After graduating from The Citadel, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. On the front line when his division landed on D-Day, Howie fought through the Normandy campaign until July 17, 1944, when he was killed by German mortar fire in route to the French town of St. Lo. His courage and leadership so inspired his troops that they liberated the village the following day. A monument to his memory was erected in the village, and the Thomas Dry Howie Carillon Tower was erected at The Citadel in his memory.