Serving as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, Gunnery Sergeant Fred William Stockham was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions between June 13 and 14, 1918 in Bois-de-Belleau during World War I. At the time he was serving with 96th Company, 2d Battalion, 6th Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2d Division. Stockham was 37 years old.
Stockham was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. The medal was presented on December 21, 1939, 21 years after the action.
Stockham was born on March 16, 1881 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York, New York. He is buried at Hollywood Cemetery in Union, New Jersey. His medal is held by Naval Historical Center, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC ; Soldier's Memorial, St. Louis, MO.
Stockham is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 678 credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
During an intense enemy bombardment with high-explosive and gas shells which wounded or killed many members of the company, GSgt. Stockham, upon noticing that the gas mask of a wounded comrade was shot away, without hesitation, removed his own gas mask and insisted upon giving it to the wounded man, well knowing that the effects of the gas would be fatal to himself. He continued with undaunted courage and valor to direct and assist in the evacuation of the wounded, until he himself collapsed from the effects of gas, dying as a result thereof a few days later. His courageous conduct undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his wounded comrades, and his conspicuous gallantry and spirit of self-sacrifice were a source of great inspiration to all who served with him.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (June 22, 1918).
- Age at death: 37
- Resting place: Hollywood Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Fred William Stockham received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War I, Third Battle of the Aisne.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- March 16, 1881Born in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
- June 13 - 14, 1918Act of valor — Bois-de-BelleauAge 37. 96th Company, 2d Battalion, 6th Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2d Division Killed in action.
- December 21, 1939Medal of Honor presented posthumously
- Resting placeHollywood CemeteryUnion, New Jersey
Biography
Fred William Stockham (March 16, 1881 in Detroit – June 22, 1918 in France) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his self-sacrificial valor during the Battle of Belleau Wood in World War I.
From the Wikipedia article “Fred W. Stockham”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
