From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Lieutenant (junior grade) Curtiss William Howard, USN, was born on Guam, 31 August 1917 and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1938. He served on board Pensacola (CA-24) and Greer (DD-145), and at the Pensacola Naval Air Station prior to being assigned to Torpedo Squadron 3 in April 1941. He was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroism when despite overwhelming opposition, he gallantly pressed home his attack against a Japanese aircraft carrier in the battle of Midway on 4 June 1942.