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

Feb 24 , 2026

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

Edward Schowalter Jr. stood where others fell. His blood stained a frozen ridge in Korea, but he never broke. Wounds tore through flesh, but his will held. The enemy pressed hard, a ravenous tide. Still, he fought—relentless, unbowed. This was no mere act of valor; it was a crucible of the human spirit.

Background & Faith

Born to a modest family, Edward grew under a steady hand and unyielding values. A quiet boy shaped by scripture and duty, he learned early that courage meant more than strength—it meant heart. Raised with the words of Psalm 27 echoing in his mind:

"Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident."

This tough faith became armor beyond the battlefield—his moral compass, a guiding light in darkest hours.

The Battle That Defined Him

April 22, 1951. Near the heart of Korea’s brutal frontline, Schowalter, then a young Captain in the 7th Infantry Regiment, faced a massive Chinese assault. The enemy surged like a storm across the ridge they held. Every inch contested with hellish ferocity.

His platoon cornered, ammo low, casualties mounting—Schowalter refused to yield. Twice wounded, pain screaming through his body, he rallied his men. With bullet wounds in his side and arm, he crawled up crests, directing fire, calling out commands like the backbone of the unit.

Enemy infiltrators clawed near the command post. Without hesitation, Schowalter sprang from cover, engaging in brutal hand-to-hand combat, driving back fighters despite grave injuries.

“Captain Schowalter's extraordinary heroism and leadership...placed the success of the mission above personal safety." — Medal of Honor citation, 1951^[1].

Each moment was life or death. Every breath, a victory seized against overwhelming odds.

Recognition

For his actions that fateful day, Edward R. Schowalter Jr. received the Medal of Honor. The citation speaks plainly:

“His intrepid leadership, complete disregard for personal safety, and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.”

General Matthew Ridgway noted Schowalter’s fighting spirit as an example to all soldiers—a testament that steel is forged in sacrifice and resolve.

Fellow soldiers remembered him not as a war hero in legend, but as a warrior who lived every second alongside them, bleeding and fighting beside his men, never above.

Legacy & Lessons

Schowalter's story curls beyond one battle—it's about the essence of service. The scars he bore were not trophies but reminders of a covenant: to stand in the gap, guard the vulnerable, and face the storm head-on.

In his own words reported in later interviews, Edward credited faith with fueling his endurance. Amid chaos and carnage, his focus remained unswerving:

“We fight not for glory, but for each other—to bring every man home."

Our world needs that grit now more than ever. The battlefield may shift—from snow-covered ridges to urban shadows—but the price of courage remains eternal. His life stands as a warning and a promise—that even in brokenness, redemption waits.

The words from Romans still ring true:

“Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)

Edward R. Schowalter Jr. walked that path—bleeding, battered, victorious—not just for country, but for the soul of every man called to fight.

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History: Medal of Honor Recipients – Korean War 2. Army Historical Foundation: Seven Against the Frozen Ridge, 2010 3. Matthew B. Ridgway, Soldier’s Honor: Leadership in Korea, 1952 4. Veterans’ Oral Histories Project, Edward Schowalter Interview, 1990