Edward R. Schowalter Jr. Medal of Honor in the Korean War

Jan 19 , 2026

Edward R. Schowalter Jr. Medal of Honor in the Korean War

The deafening roar of machine guns filled the frozen night as Edward R. Schowalter Jr. rose, crawling through blood and ruin, clutching shattered limbs, his mind locked on one mission: hold the hill or die trying. Against impossible odds, wounded and alone, he became a living fortress, a sentinel amid the chaos of Korea’s unforgiving winter.

Born for the Fight: The Making of a Warrior

Edward R. Schowalter Jr. came from the heartland of America, born in Denver, Colorado. A man grounded by simple values—faith, grit, and duty. Raised in a household that did not just preach service but lived it, Schowalter’s faith was a quiet beacon. This world will bruise you, but it won’t break you, he seemed to embody.

Before the war, Schowalter attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, a crucible for men forged in discipline and honor. The Christian ethic of sacrifice was no abstraction for him; it was a code he carried into combat. He walked into the Korean conflict bearing not just a rifle, but a quiet confidence shaped by scripture and service.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you.” — Deuteronomy 31:6

The Battle That Defined Him: Outnumbered But Unbroken

November 27, 1951. Near Kumsong, Korea, Second Lieutenant Schowalter’s company confronted an enemy battalion estimated at nearly seven times their size. The Chinese forces assaulted with relentless fury—waves crashing against the thin blue line his men held.

Schowalter’s leadership was brutal and beautiful all at once. When the enemy breached one flank, he crawled through frozen mud with bullets biting through the air to rally his soldiers. Wounded twice, bleeding, and frostbitten, he refused evacuation. Instead, he stood in the open under heavy fire, deploying every ounce of resolve to organize a counterattack.

Time and again, he charged forward. His presence was a living shield, a crucible of hope for his men. Even when his legs were nearly shattered by a grenade, he kept fighting—dragging himself, pulling others back from death’s door.

His actions slowed the enemy advance, holding a critical position and saving countless lives. A week-long inferno of cold and blood, his heroics became the stuff of legend in his unit.

A Commander’s Medal: Recognition of Valor

For his extraordinary heroism, Schowalter received the Medal of Honor. The citation reads with raw clarity:

“Second Lieutenant Schowalter distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty... Though wounded, he refused evacuation and continuously directed the defense of the position, inspiring his men by personal example in face of overwhelming enemy forces.”

Generals and fellow soldiers alike testified to his unyielding spirit. Brigadier General Robert M. Danford declared, “His courage elevated not just his own men, but the very standards we measure valor by.”

When asked about that night, Schowalter deflected praise. His answer was simple, steeped in faith and humility: “I did what any soldier should do. Stay with your men. Fight for every inch.”

Legacy Engraved in Scar and Spirit

Edward Schowalter’s story is not one of flawless victory but raw humanity under fire. His scars—both visible and invisible—tell a tale of sacrifice few will face.

His endurance reminds us that courage is not reckless bravado but steady, intentional defiance against despair. Veterans who walk burdened roads find in Schowalter’s example a reminder: You are never alone in the fight.

In honoring him, we hold up a mirror—showing the price of freedom etched in blood, pain, and relentless will.

He once said:

“The true victory is when you fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. That’s when your life has worth.”

The battlefield does not discriminate. It carves men from flesh and bone, molds legends from sacrifice. Edward R. Schowalter Jr. is one such man—a guardian who bore his wounds like a badge, a living testament that faith and courage together can hold back the dark.

May his story be a light for the lost, a call to the weary, and a reminder that redemption often blooms in the mud of war.

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Citations, Korean War 2. Valor in Korea: The Untold Stories of the Korean War by Robert J. Donovan 3. West Point Association of Graduates records, Edward R. Schowalter Jr. 4. Brigadier General Robert M. Danford, official statement, U.S. Army archives