First Lieutenant Edward Rightor Schowalter Jr. was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 14, 1952 near Kumhwa, Korea during the Korean War. At the time he was serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Schowalter was 24 years old.
The medal was presented on October 12, 1953 — the White House, presented by Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower. He later rose to the rank of Colonel.
Schowalter was born on December 24, 1927 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. His Medal of Honor is credited to Metairie, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. Schowalter died on November 21, 2003 in Auburn, Alabama, at the age of 75. He is buried at Fort Benning Post Cemetery in Fort Benning, Georgia. His medal is held by Marshall Museum, Virginia Military Institute (duplicate), Lexington, VA.
Schowalter is one of 153 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War and one of 24 credited to Louisiana.
Official Medal of Honor citation
1st Lt. Schowalter, commanding officer, Company A, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. Committed to attack and occupy a key approach to the primary objective, the 1st Platoon of his company came under heavy vicious small-arms, grenade, and mortar fire within 50 yards of the enemy-held strong-point, halting the advance and inflicting several casualties. The 2d Platoon moved up in support at this juncture, and although wounded, 1st Lt. Schowalter continued to spearhead the assault. Nearing the objective he was severely wounded by a grenade fragment but, refusing medical aid, he led his men into the trenches and began routing the enemy from the bunkers with grenades. Suddenly from a burst of fire from a hidden cove off the trench he was again wounded. Although suffering from his wounds, he refused to relinquish command and continued issuing orders and encouraging his men until the commanding ground was secured and then he was evacuated. 1st Lt. Schowalter's unflinching courage, extraordinary heroism, and inspirational leadership reflect the highest credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
The 2d Platoon moved up in support at this juncture, and although wounded, 1st Lt. Schowalter continued to spearhead the assault.
Nearing the objective he was severely wounded by a grenade fragment but, refusing medical aid, he led his men into the trenches and began routing the enemy from the bunkers with grenades.
Suddenly from a burst of fire from a hidden cove off the trench he was again wounded.
- Age at death: 75
- Resting place: Fort Benning Post Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Edward Rightor Schowalter Jr. received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Vietnam War, Korean War.
Life beyond the battlefield
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Louisiana →
Timeline
- December 24, 1927Born in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana
- October 14, 1952Act of valor — near Kumhwa, KoreaAge 24. Company A, 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division
- October 12, 1953Medal of Honor presentedThe White House, presented by Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower
- November 21, 2003Died in Auburn, AlabamaAge 75.
- Resting placeFort Benning Post CemeteryFort Benning, Georgia
Biography
Edward Rightor Schowalter Jr. (December 24, 1927 – November 21, 2003) was a United States Army officer in the Korean War who received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. He was awarded the medal for commanding his company in an assault against a fortified position, and for continuing to lead after being seriously wounded.
From the Wikipedia article “Edward R. Schowalter Jr.”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →