Highly decorated Army Colonel dies in Texas

WACO, Texas – A man considered to be the country's most decorated soldier has died.

Oak Crest Funeral Home in Waco, Texas, says retired Col. Robert Lewis Howard died Wednesday. He was 70. The funeral home obituary said that at the time of his death he was the most decorated American soldier.

Howard served in the Army from 1956 to 1992. He was nominated three times for the Medal of Honor, the nation's most prestigious award for combat veterans. He was awarded it once, for his bravery in Vietnam during a mission to rescue a missing soldier in enemy territory.

He was wounded 14 times in Vietnam and was awarded eight Purple Hearts.

Howard will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. No date has been set.