Howard I. "Howie" Cohen
JCU Member June 1989 – June 1991
Colonel Howard Cohen. Army (ret.), loving husband, father, proud army ranger and officer, passed peacefully on the morning of July 20th, 2026 surrounded by family. Howard Cohen was born on 22 February 1957 in Newark, NJ to Joseph and Matilda Cohen. Howie was a big brother to Paula and Steve Cohen. Growing up, Howie was a dedicated athlete, playing a variety of sports, but most significantly known as a baseball player through the college level.
He graduated from Lafayette College in June 1979 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Signal Corps. His last assignment was as the Commander, White House Communications Agency, (WHCA). Prior to WHCA, Colonel Cohen commanded the 35th Signal Brigade (Airborne) in support of the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He commanded at the platoon, detachment, company, battalion, squadron, and brigade levels. He also served in various staff assignments including Battalion Signal Officer, Operations Officer, Deputy Inspector General, and Battalion Executive Officer.
He is a graduate of the Signal Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Ranger School, Basic Airborne School, Jumpmaster School, the Combined Arms Staff Officer Course, the Army Command and General Staff Officer Course, and completed the Senior Service College as a National Security Program Fellow with the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Lafayette College, a Master’s in Business Administration, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Central Michigan University.
Howie was a soldier’s soldier who lived his life by the ranger’s creed and army values. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Ribbon, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and the Army Superior Unit Award.
Post-military, Howie transitioned to the corporate world where he specialized in leadership consulting and management roles for different corporations. Later in life, Howie spent a great deal of purpose-filled energy and effort in helping veterans and family members transition to civilian life and laser-focused on lowering the high rate of veteran suicide.
COL Cohen’s family includes his wife, Maria, and two sons, Nick and Drew. Howie shared his life with his loving wife, Maria, for over 40 years. His children were blessed with a devoted father, his siblings with a caring brother, his parents with a cherished son, and so many of you with a loyal friend.
His greatest legacy is not only the life he lived but the love he gave, the people he encouraged, and the example he set. We will carry his memory forward by living with the same compassion, love, and strength that he showed every day.