Howard began his work around planes at Serkorski Aircraft. Howard then went to work for Grumman Aircraft Company in 1937; he was the 378th employee to be hired. Thirty-seven years later, when he retired in 1974, there were 35,000 working for Grumman. He attended aviation school for aerodynamics training. Pre-World War II, Grumman made the bi-plane for the Navy. On December 7, 1941 Howard attended the grand opening of Plant II in Bethpage, NY. He had invited his patents and brother to the festivities, and although no announcement was ever made, everyone was urged toward the exits shortly after their arrival. Grumman had just revived word of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Grumman changed its focus and began producing warplanes. During World War II, although not in uniform, Howard worked many and long hours to help produce warplanes for the Navy, helped break the Japanese code, and resolved engineering problem with the gun turrets. He was in charge of the controls of the F-7. He worked on the Hellcat a plane he believes was the most damaging plane they made during the War. There was high security at the plant and Grumman received a world’s record for producing more than 660 fighters in one month! Howard was then a supervisor overseeing the controls of those planes.
Howard traveled to Tennessee to help resolve a problem that required his attention thus saving the company many dollars.

The best plane he worked on, the F-14, would put a twinkle in his eyes and a smile on his| face. It traveled 1300 mph Howard received a Certificate of Excellence for work on his part of the ship.
Howard enjoyed being on a first name basis with Mr. Grumman and Mr. Swendler. Grumman was managed like a family. He had the privilege of recommending his uncle, Fred Wilfert to the company.
Working on the parts of the planes and being accountable to refit and remake parts, Howard received the Project Sterling award for improving his job. He was presented this upon his retirement