Edward R. Schowalter Jr.'s Medal of Honor Heroism on Hill 700

Nov 11 , 2025

Edward R. Schowalter Jr.'s Medal of Honor Heroism on Hill 700

Blood rains down. The hillside screams war. Bullets tear, men fall silent, yet one stands—wounded, alone, furious. Edward R. Schowalter Jr., with broken ribs and a shattered arm, rallies every ounce of fury and faith he has left. This is not surrender. This is redemption carved in combat.

Roots of Steel and Spirit

Edward R. Schowalter Jr. grew up in High Point, North Carolina. A boy raised on discipline and quiet faith. His father, a businessman, instilled hard work but more—a code of honor beyond the battlefield. His mother’s prayers would clutch him through nights before he ever donned the uniform.

Schowalter enlisted in the Army in 1947, stepping into a world still haunted by World War II’s shadow. But Korea was a different beast—a bloody, frozen furnace of chaos. He carried not just a rifle but something more—a relentless commitment to his men, forged by faith and forged by fire.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9

This scripture wasn’t just words. It was armor.

The Battle That Defined Him

October 1951. Hill 700, near Kumhwa, Korea. A simple ridge that became a crucible. Schowalter, a first lieutenant in Company A, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, held command. Enemy forces, overwhelming in number, launched wave after wave of attacks under the cover of night.

The fighting was brutal, savage. Grenades exploded inches away. The cold gnawed flesh. Schowalter’s radioman lay dead beside him; shrapnel tore into his ribs and arm. But surrender was a stranger on that hill. Despite the wounds, Schowalter refused evacuation.

He rallied his men with a voice hoarse and fierce, moving through the lines, throwing back enemy grenades, personally leading counterattacks against bunker positions. When ammo ran low, he directed riflemen to use bayonets in hand-to-hand combat.

His command post was struck multiple times—walls crumbled, mortar rounds exploded—but he held the line.

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” — Psalm 23:4

Schowalter's actions halted the enemy’s advance, secured critical ground, and saved countless lives. For 14 hours, amidst blood and bone, he was a rock amid chaos.

Medals Won in Blood

For his extraordinary heroism, Schowalter received the Medal of Honor. His citation reads in raw detail:

“First Lieutenant Schowalter distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty... despite severe wounds, he led his unit in repulsing repeated enemy attacks, inspiring his men by his fearless leadership...”[1]

His battalion commander reportedly said, “Ed saved that hill that night. He was more than a leader—he was our spirit.”

The Medal of Honor is not just an award. It is a wound stitched in valor. Schowalter’s photo in uniform shows a man tempered like steel —eyes sharp, scars invisible under the ribbon but visible in every motion.

Enduring Legacy

Edward R. Schowalter Jr.’s story is one of relentless grit and faith in the face of death. His scars, both visible and hidden, are testament to sacrifices soldiers bear for country and comrades.

His fight on Hill 700 teaches what courage truly means—not absence of fear but action despite fear. It means putting others’ lives above your own, standing firm when the tide crashes over you.

Faith and leadership, intertwined, forged a legacy that transcends the cold mountains of Korea. It whispers to every veteran and civilian alike: honor is costly, but priceless.

In the end, the battlefield doesn’t forget. Neither does history. Schowalter’s blood and courage plant a seed—a reminder that redemption is wrestled from chaos, and from sacrifice rises the enduring flame of hope.

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” — 2 Timothy 1:7

Sources

1. Department of Defense, Medal of Honor Citation for Edward R. Schowalter Jr. 2. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Korean War Recipients of the Medal of Honor 3. The Forgotten War: A Pictorial History of the Korean War by Donald A. Carter