Jonathan Howe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jonathan T. Howe
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| 18th United States Deputy National Security Advisor | |
| In office November 7, 1991 – January 19, 1993 |
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| President | George H. W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Robert Gates |
| Succeeded by | Anthony Lake |
| 7th Director of the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs | |
| In office May 10, 1982 – July 1, 1984 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Richard Burt |
| Succeeded by | John T. Chain Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 24, 1935 San Diego County, California, U.S. |
| Education | United States Naval Academy (BS) Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (MA, PhD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1957–1992 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | Allied Forces Southern Europe United States Naval Forces Europe Cruiser-Destroyer Group Three Destroyer Squadron 31 USS Berkeley (DDG-15) |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal (6) Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (3) |
Jonathan Trumbull Howe (born August 24, 1935) is a retired four-star admiral in the United States Navy. An admiral is one of the highest ranks in the Navy. He also held important government jobs, like Deputy National Security Advisor, where he helped advise the president.
Later in his career, he worked for the United Nations. He led a peacekeeping mission in the country of Somalia. This mission, called UNOSOM II, faced many challenges. One major event was a raid that became known as 'Bloody Monday', which changed the course of the mission.
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Early Life and Schooling
Howe graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1957. This is a special college that trains future Navy leaders. He later earned advanced degrees, including a PhD, from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
Howe's career in the U.S. Navy lasted for almost 36 years. He served on both nuclear submarines and surface warships.
Service at Sea
Howe began his career on submarines. From 1962 to 1964, he was a nuclear engineer on the USS George Washington. This was the first American submarine to carry ballistic missiles. He also served on the USS Patrick Henry.
Later, he commanded several surface ships and groups of ships. These included the USS Berkeley (DDG-15), Destroyer Squadron 31, and Cruiser-Destroyer Group Three.
Working for the Government
Besides his work at sea, Howe held many important jobs in Washington, D.C. From 1969 to 1974, he was a military assistant to the President's National Security Advisor. During this time, he helped improve the relationship between the United States and China. He traveled to China with government official Henry A. Kissinger in 1971 and with President Richard M. Nixon in 1972.
He held other key roles, including:
- Assistant to the Vice President for National Security Affairs (1975–1977)
- Director of the State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (1982–1984)
- Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1987–1989)
In 1991, President George H. W. Bush named him Deputy National Security Advisor. He retired from the Navy in 1992.
A Difficult Mission in Somalia
In 1993, the United Nations asked Howe to lead a peacekeeping mission in Somalia. The goal of the mission, called UNOSOM II, was to help bring peace and stability to the country.
Howe's leadership was focused on stopping a powerful Somali military leader named Mohamed Farrah Aidid. Howe and U.S. officials believed that capturing Aidid would help stabilize the region.
On July 12, 1993, Howe ordered an attack on a house in Mogadishu, Somalia's capital. This event is often called Bloody Monday. A group of Somali elders had gathered there to discuss peace. Acting on a tip, American helicopters attacked the building. Many Somalis were killed in the raid, and four journalists covering the event were killed by angry crowds afterward.
Howe said the attack was a success against a "terrorist planning cell." However, the event was very controversial. Many Somalis who had hoped for peace turned against the UN forces. This led to more fighting, including the famous Battle of Mogadishu, also known as the Black Hawk Down incident. Groups like Human Rights Watch strongly criticized the raid. Howe resigned from his UN position in February 1994.
Life Outside of Work
Howe has written two books. The first was Multicrises: Seapower and Global Politics in the Missile Age (1971). His second book, Opportunity Lost or Mission Impossible?, was published in 2025.
He has been active in his community in Jacksonville, Florida. He was the chairman of the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville. The council even named its student trivia competition after him.
Howe's family has a strong military history. His father was a Navy Admiral, and his wife's father was a Marine Corps general. Howe and his wife, Harriet, have six children.
Awards and Honors
On January 13, 1993, after he retired, Howe received the National Security Medal for his service. Below are some of the other major awards he has earned.
Navy Surface Warfare Officer insignia
Silver SSBN Deterrent Patrol insignia with six gold stars-
Defense Distinguished Service Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one gold award star
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with two award stars
National Security Medal
National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars-
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with service star
Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon
