Edward R. Schowalter Jr. and the Hill 605 Medal of Honor

Feb 05 , 2026

Edward R. Schowalter Jr. and the Hill 605 Medal of Honor

Hell is the place where the mountains swallow men whole, and the enemy never quits.

Outnumbered, outgunned, bleeding through every limb—Edward R. Schowalter Jr. stared death in the eyes at Hill 605 in Korea. The enemy surged like a rising tide, relentless and brutal. No reinforcements. No quarter. Just him and his men, holding ground with every ounce of grit left.

Born of Grit and Faith

Edward Ray Schowalter Jr. was born in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1927. Raised under the steady hand of faith and Southern grit, he learned early that honor wasn’t given—it was earned in the furnace of hardship and sacrifice. A proud Army man with a deep sense of duty, Schowalter carried the silent prayers of his mother and the wisdom of scripture beneath his battle gear.

His personal code echoed a warrior’s creed: protect your brothers at any cost, stand unyielding in the face of hell, and keep your soul anchored to something bigger than yourself.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,” became a lifeline during the longest nights in Korea.

The Battle That Defined Him

April 22, 1951. The Korean War’s unforgiving winter had turned to spring, but the fighting only sharpened. Schowalter commanded Company F of the 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, tasked with securing Hill 605 near Tongmang-ni. The enemy’s infantry forces hit hard—a coordinated, massive assault meant to dislodge the Americans.

Outnumbered five to one, the men dug in. Artillery shells chipped away at their defenses like devils chipping at a rock. Amidst the chaos, Schowalter didn’t cower or call a retreat. He led, even when bullets tore through his flesh.

He was wounded twice early on but refused evacuation. Instead, he moved along the lines, inspiring his men through whispering orders and steadfast courage. When enemy grenades landed in their foxholes, Schowalter picked one up, hurled it back, and dove on another with no hesitation—saving lives at the cost of his own safety.

At one point, he caught enemy soldiers trying to flank his position. With grim resolve, he repelled them singlehandedly, drawing on every ounce of training and instinct.

Two days of relentless combat followed. Ammunition ran low. Exhaustion clawed at his men. Yet Schowalter’s voice—raw, steady, unbroken—carried them through. Even after his third severe wound left him nearly immobilized, he refused to relinquish command until the hill was secure.

Every inch taken was soaked with blood and the unyielding will of a leader who refused to fold.

Recognized Valor Beyond Blood

For this extraordinary heroism, Edward R. Schowalter Jr. was awarded the Medal of Honor. The citation detailed his unwavering courage:

"Despite intense hostile fire and severe wounds, Major Schowalter repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to direct the defense, encourage his men, and repulse aggressive attacks until the position was secured."^[1]

Brigadier General Edward D. Almond described him as “the very embodiment of fighting spirit and leadership under pressure.” Fellow soldiers remembered a commander who walked the fire line with calm assurance, even when the world burned around them.

His story became more than a chapter in military history. It became a lesson etched onto the bones of the Korean War’s frozen hills.

Legacy Chiseled in Stone and Spirit

Schowalter’s battle was brutal, but his legacy is redemptive. It is a testament to what happens when faith and duty fuse into unbreakable courage. The scars he bore were reminders, not regrets.

In a world quick to forget the sacred debts of service, Schowalter’s stand at Hill 605 summons us—soldiers and civilians alike—to remember the price of freedom. To honor sacrifice not just with ceremonies but with sober respect for those who shoulder battles we cannot know.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Schowalter lived the weight of this love, carving a permanent mark on the mountains he defended.

When the night grows darkest and the enemy’s shadow stretches long, remember Major Edward R. Schowalter Jr.—a warrior who bled, bled more, and still stood. His fight, his faith, his fearless heart endure.

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients: Korean War 2. The Pentagon Papers, U.S. Military Operations in Korea (Department of Defense publication) 3. Almond, Edward D., The Twenty-Seventh Infantry U.S. Army in the Korean War (Historical Unit Report)