The Major of St. Lo

Produced by SCETV and the United Bank Center for Military and Veteran Studies, this film tells the story of Major Thomas D. Howie and the heroism he displayed as he led his men into battle in Normandy, France.

A native of Abbeville, South Carolina, Howie attended college at the Citadel in Charleston, SC. After graduating in 1929, he taught English and coached sports at Staunton Military Academy in Virginia. While in Staunton, he also joined the Virginia National Guard and entered active duty in February of 1941. He was promoted to Captain in 1942 and landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day June 6, 1944. In July he was assigned to command the 3rd Battalion and personally led the attack against German forces outside of St. Lo where his heroism earned him the nickname “The Major of St. Lo”.

The program will be held in the McCown Auditorium