115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Staff Sgt. Margaret Nelson

By Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson
115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

PB Howell, Riyad, Iraq – The 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment named their new Patrol Base after Pfc. George Howell during a ribbon cutting ceremony held at the PB, on April 26, in Riyad, located in the Hawijah district of northeastern, Iraq.

Howell, 24, was an Infantryman with 2nd Platoon, Delta Company, 1-87, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. He was killed by an improvised explosive device while on patrol during combat operations on Dec. 21, 2007.

"My thoughts are with his family who were always on Howell's mind. The love that he had for them was evident as he was constantly sharing stories about them ... he was so proud of his children," Cpt. Jon Anderson, commander, D Co., 1-87, said during the ceremony.

The Salinas, Calif., native also enjoyed Dominoes or, 'bones', to his fellow Soldiers in 2nd Platoon. The picnic table where the nightly games use to be played, remains empty and, "we haven't played bones since," Sgt. 1st Class Brian Dommell, Howell's platoon sergeant said.

"I didn't realize that until now. It just wouldn't be the same without Howell. He loved that game."

Pfc. Lewis Nagel summed up the unanimous response of the platoon when asked what memory of Howell will remain with them.

"His disposition. I never saw Howell without a smile on his face. He was one of the nicest guys I've ever met."

Howell is survived by his pregnant wife, Kristen, and his two children; Raiden and Niya.

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