Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor

My friend Bob Howard died this morning, and I'd like to ask you to watch the segment we're airing on Bob tonight, just so you can know his story. He was a recipient of the Medal of Honor, who was nominated for the Medal three separate times, for three separate acts of valor. He was widely believed to be the most heavily-decorated veteran alive, until his death this morning in Waco, Texas at the age of 70.

It was an honor and a blessing to know him, and I'm comforted to know that we spoke by telephone just before he lost the ability to converse. The fact that another recipient of the Medal was in tears just now on the phone tells you something about how Bob was regarded by his peers. There are now 91 living recipients...and today their ranks have suffered a huge loss. So has our country.

I hope you can join us for tonight's broadcast.

Related story: Read the July 2007 Daily Nightly post honoring Robert Howard's bravery.