Howard Ramey was born on October 14, 1896, in Waynesboro, Mississippi. He enlisted as a Flying Cadet in the Aviation Section of the U.S. Army Signal Corps on December 15, 1917, and was commissioned a 2d Lt and awarded his pilot wings on April 20, 1918. Lt Ramey served as an instructor pilot in the United States during World War I, and after the war he attended the Air Service Photography School in 1921. He served as Commander of the 6th Photo Section at Camp Nichols in the Philippines from January to October 1925, followed by service as an Intelligence Officer at Camp Nichols from October 1925 until he returned to the United States in February 1927. His next assignment was as Commander of the 22nd Photo Section at Kelly Field, Texas, from 1927 to 1928, followed by service as an instructor at the Air Corps Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field from 1928 to 1931. Major Ramey attended the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field, Alabama, from 1933 to 1934, and Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, from 1935 to 1936. His next assignment was as Operations Officer and Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence of the 1st Bomb Wing at March Field, California, from 1936 to 1941, followed by service as Chief of Staff for Operations of Fourth Air Force at March Field from January to August 1942. He served as Commander of IV Bomber Command in San Francisco, California, from August to November 1942, and then as Deputy Commander of Seventh Air Force at Hickam Field, Hawaii, from November 1942 to January 1943. Brig Gen Ramey's final assignment was as Commander of V Bomber Command in New Guinea from January 1943 until he was killed in action on March 26, 1943. He was officially listed as Missing in Action until being declared dead on November 19, 1945. Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico was renamed Ramey Air Force Base in his honor on September 18, 1948.

His Army Distinguished Service Medal Citation reads:

For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States. As Commanding General of the V Bomber Command, General Ramey displayed outstanding ability organizing and directing operations against the enemy. His personal example and initiative contributed greatly toward maintaining excellent morale and effective fighting spirit among the officers and men of his command and enabled them to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in carrying out their combat assignments. The results achieved by his forces during the period between January and March 1943 are evidence of the outstanding leadership demonstrated by General Ramey at all times. The culmination of his efforts was the part he played in the annihilation of a 22-ship enemy convoy in the Bismarck Sea. General Ramey frequently accompanied his crews on combat and reconnaissance operations and he is missing in action as a result of one of these aerial operations. By his outstanding courage and unflagging devotion to duty, General Ramey exemplified the highest traditions of the Army Air Forces and provided a source of inspiration to all who served with him. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ramey and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.