Jan 08 , 2026

Edward R. Schowalter Jr., Medal of Honor Recipient in Korea 1951

Flames ripped through the dark cold as bullets hammered down like raging storms. A 22-year-old lieutenant, bleeding, exhausted, surrounded, stood firm. No orders left but his own iron will.

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The Making of a Warrior

Edward R. Schowalter Jr. was born in Omaha, Nebraska. Raised steeped in discipline and faith—not the kind preached in halls, but the creed carved from hard work and conviction. A soldier’s soldier, his moral compass unyielding. A devout Christian, he carried more than a rifle; he carried a purpose beyond survival.

In the quiet moments before combat, he whispered Psalm 23, the shepherd’s promise: “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” That scripture wasn't just comfort; it was armor.

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The Battle That Defined Him

April 22, 1951: near Ponggilli, Korea. Lieutenant Schowalter commanded Company A, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. His men faced a force of Chinese infantry—numbers estimated at least five times greater, surging like a wave against his outpost.

Early in the fight, a grenade blast nearly crushed Schowalter’s left hand. His knee shattered under enemy fire. Blood and pain could have sent any man backward. But Edward stayed forward—barking orders, reassigning squads, pulling wounded fighters away.

Enemy soldiers swarmed trenches, cutting paths through American defenses. Schowalter struck back, refusing to yield an inch. Twice wounded, twice refusing evacuation, he rallied his men with steady resolve. When ammo ran scarce, he grabbed rifles off the dead—fixing bayonets with broken fingers—and led counterattacks.

Hours of brutal close-quarter combat followed. Every inch of ground fought for with teeth and grit. Against overwhelming odds, Schowalter’s platoon held their line. When relief arrived, the enemy was broken, battered, scattered.

No retreat. No surrender.

This was war made raw—sacrifice writ in blood and iron.

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Recognition for Valor

For his extraordinary heroism under fire, Edward R. Schowalter Jr. received the Medal of Honor. His citation reads:

“Lieutenant Schowalter’s intrepid leadership, personal bravery, and self-sacrifice were instrumental in repelling repeated enemy attacks against his company. Though wounded repeatedly, he refused evacuation and continued to lead and inspire his men until the enemy was finally driven off.” [1]

Generals and comrades spoke of a man who fought not for glory, but for those beside him. Captain Henry J. Dietz, who later led the 15th Infantry, called Schowalter “a living testament to courage in the face of death.”

The Medal of Honor is no decoration lightly given. It demands the highest price in valor, and Schowalter paid in full.

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Legacy in the Shadows of War

Edward never sought the spotlight. He understood that the battlefield scars ran deeper than flesh—etched into the souls of those who survive. His story isn’t just about brave actions but about relentless commitment to duty despite impossible odds.

There is a purity in such sacrifice—a blood-price for freedom.

His legacy lives in every battle-hardened veteran who stands firm when falling back seems the only option. It lives in the quiet prayers of those clutching their own scars—seen or hidden.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” —John 15:13

Schowalter’s fight reminds us that war is brutal, merciless, and sometimes necessary. But amid the chaos, the flame of human courage burns undiminished. It challenges us to honor their sacrifices, to carry forward the lessons written in grit and grace.

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Edward R. Schowalter Jr. took a stand when the world demanded it most.

In his witness—through blood and faith—we are called to remember what it means to be truly brave.

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Sources

[1] U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Citation: Edward R. Schowalter Jr.

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