Howie Dunn was born on September 3, 1930, in Glendive, Montana. He was commissioned a 2Lt in the U.S. Marine Corps through the Naval Aviation Cadet Program and awarded his pilot wings on March 11, 1953. He next attended AD-4 Skyraider training with Marine Attack Training Squadron 10 (VMAT-10) at MCAS El Toro, California, from May to September 1953, followed by service as an AD-4 pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 251 (VMA-251) in South Korea from October 1953 to June 1954. He served with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing from June to November 1954, and then served as an instructor pilot at NAS Pensacola, Florida, from November 1954 to May 1956. Capt Dunn served with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina, from May 1956 to May 1957, followed by service as Commanding Officer of Headquarters Battalion at Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps in the Pentagon from May to December 1957. His next assignment was as an R5D Skymaster pilot with Marine Transport Squadron 152 (VMR-152) at MCAS El Toro from December 1957 to November 1958, and then with Marine Wing Support Group 37 (MWSG-37) at El Toro from November 1958 to June 1960. Maj Dunn served as a recruiter at U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting Station Jacksonville, Florida, from June 1960 to June 1962, and then served with Marine Wing Headquarters Group 1 (MWHG-1) from July 1962 to July 1963. He next served with Headquarters Battalion, MCS Quantico, from July 1963 to Mary 1964, followed by service with Headquarters & Maintenance Squadron 24 (H&MS-24) with Marine Aircraft Group 24 (MAG-24) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, from May to December 1964. Maj Dunn served as an F-4 Phantom II pilot with Marine Fighter/Attack Squadron 323 (VMFA-323) at MCAS Cherry Point from December 1964 to October 1965, and then deployed to South Vietnam as Executive Officer of VMFA-323 at Da Nang AB, South Vietnam, from October 1965 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam on December 7, 1965. After evading capture for 6 days, Maj Dunn was taken as a Prisoner of War on December 13, 1965, and was held in captivity for the next 2,619 days until his release during Operation Homecoming on February 12, 1973. After hospitalization to recuperate from his injuries, Col Dunn attended refresher flight training from August 1973 to March 1974. He retired from the Marine Corps on August 1, 1974, and Flew West on January 14, 1998.

His Silver Star Citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from December 1965 to October 1966. After his aircraft was shot down, Lieutenant Colonel (then Major) Dunn evaded capture by the enemy in North Vietnam for six days. Once placed in a prison camp, the tenacity and indomitable spirit he showed during those six days became the trademark of his resolve. Lieutenant Colonel Dunn steadfastly refused to cooperate with his captors and was subjected to severe cruelties. Thwarting every attempt of the enemy to break his resistance, he gave his fellow prisoners an exemplary standard upon which to base their own conduct. Although Lieutenant Colonel Dunn aroused the fury of his captors by his resistance, the level of his courage and doggedness matched the increasing intensity of maltreatment levied upon him by the enemy, who ignored international agreements concerning the treatment of POW's. His resolve and determination provided the highest form of leadership and personal example. By his sheer determination and professionalism under the most adverse of conditions, Lieutenant Colonel Dunn displayed devotion not only to the United States but also to his fellow prisoners; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps, the Naval Service, and the United States Armed Forces.