Private First Class Jeffery Clinton Howard of Muhlenberg County died on 16 April 1978 while training with his unit, the 307th Maintenance Company (HE) (GS) of Central City, at Fort Campbell. He was born in Daviess County, Kentucky.

Howard walked behind a truck that had been parked on a gradual incline. It rolled backward about four feet and pinned him between a tree and the truck's trailer. He had reportedly just retrieved his gas mask from the cab as part of training, and another member of the unit believed he had unknowingly released the hand brake when he pulled the mask free.

Howard enlisted in November 1976 and was a machinist in the unit. He was promoted to PFC in January 1978.

Howard Man Killed at Fort Campbell

McLean County News, 20 April 1978

Jeffery C. Howard, 21, of Route 3, Calhoun, was fatally injured early Sunday while training with his Kentucky National Guard unit at Fort Campbell. He was pronounced dead at the Fort Campbell base hospital after suffering multiple injuries when he was pinned between a tree and the trailer of a truck.

According to Lt. Jan Camplin, commander of the 307th Maintenance Company in Central City, Howard had walked behind the truck moments before the accident. The truck rolled backward a distance of 3½ to 4 feet. He was taken from the training field to the hospital in an Army helicopter.

Howard was a member of Rumsey United Methodist Church. Survivors include his father and stepmother, Mr. and Mrs. Estill C. Howard of Calhoun; a brother, Marvin Dale Howard; three stepbrothers, Wayne and Michael Rafferty and Anthony Rafferty of Owensboro; two sisters, Bonnie Lynn and Barbara D. Howard; a stepsister, Renia Rafferty; and his grandmother, Mrs. Louise Whitaker of Owensboro.

Services were held Tuesday afternoon at Muster Funeral Home in Livermore, with military graveside services at Calhoun Cemetery.