Howard James Libby was born 11 December 1923 to Percy and Iris Libby in New Orleans, Louisiana. As a young man he had been employed as a messenger boy with the telegraph company, later he worked with Higgins Industries, and even later as a fireman with the New Orleans City Fire Department's Central Station at 317 Chartres Street. Libby received his order to report for induction and enlisted with the US Marines on 29 June 1944 serving in the PTO with the 21st Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division until his separation on 1 February 1946. He continued to serve as a Marine reservist after his discharge from active duty. Libby passed away on 22 July 1995 in Louisiana.