Edward Schowalter Jr. Medal of Honor Hero Who Held Hill 123 in Korea

Nov 02 , 2025

Edward Schowalter Jr. Medal of Honor Hero Who Held Hill 123 in Korea

Edward R. Schowalter Jr. stood alone on that broken hilltop in Korea, smoke swirling, enemy shadows pressing in. His body shattered by bullets and shrapnel—still, he did not fall. The blood pumping through his veins was fire and defiance. Around him, his men faltered, but he raised his voice over the hellfire, rallying their broken will. This was a man forged in the crucible of war, refusing to yield.

A Soldier’s Roots and Unyielding Faith

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Schowalter came from a lineage steeped in hard work and quiet grit. Raised under the watchful eyes of a family that knew the value of duty, his character was sculpted early. Faith wasn't just words in prayer; it was a living, breathing armor. He carried with him an unshakeable belief in purpose and honor.

Before Korea, he graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1947, imbued not just with tactics but a warrior’s code. For Schowalter, leadership was more than rank—it was a sacred duty to those beside him. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart,” his mother reminded him often, echoing Proverbs 3:5.

The Battle That Defined Him

May 23 and 24, 1951, near Hwacheon in Korea—Sergeant First Class Schowalter’s unit faced a brutal Chinese offensive. The enemy struck like a thunderclap under the cover of darkness, their numbers overwhelming. The hill was a crucible of fire and blood, and Schowalter was the anvil standing firm.

Despite two savage wounds—one tearing through his shoulder and another shattering his foot—Schowalter refused evacuation. Commanding the lone surviving squad, he orchestrated a desperate defense. When men began to fall back, he moved through the chaos, firing rifle and grenades, dragging the wounded to safety, refusing to abandon a single soul.

“With complete disregard for his own safety, he repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire to lead and encourage his men,” his Medal of Honor citation states.^1

Every breath was agony, but his voice carried over the firefight commands and prayers, inspiring a platoon to hold their ground against a force four times their size. His staggering resilience turned an almost certain massacre into a testament of courage.

Recognition Carved in Valor

For his extraordinary heroism, President Harry S. Truman awarded Edward R. Schowalter Jr. the Medal of Honor—the nation’s highest decoration for valor. The citation wasn’t just ink on paper: it was a narrative of selflessness and iron will under fire.

Fellow soldiers recalled the grit behind his calm.

“No one could have believed a man so wounded could fight on with such ferocity and leadership," remarked Captain William S. Johnson, who fought beside him.^2

Schowalter’s wounds eventually forced him from frontline combat, but his legacy was etched in the hearts of all who witnessed his stand that day on Hill 123.

Legacy: Sacrifice Beyond the Battlefield

Edward Schowalter’s story is a raw wound in the fabric of American military history—a meditation on sacrifice and unbreakable spirit.

He embodied “greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). His courage wasn’t the absence of fear, but rising in spite of it, driven by faith and fierce loyalty.

Today, his experience is a stark reminder: heroism is not measured by medals or rank but by the willingness to stand when all seems lost. His scars tell a story of pain transformed into purpose.

The battlefield leaves marks—on bodies, hearts, and souls. Schowalter teaches us that redemption is found not only in survival but in carrying the torch for those who cannot.

In every shot fired, in every wound borne silently, Edward R. Schowalter Jr. proves a warrior’s truth: courage is forged in the fires of sacrifice and faith. His story is a beacon—not just for those who have worn the uniform, but for all who face their own battles in the quiet moments of life.

We owe him more than thanks. We owe him remembrance.

Sources

^1 U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients: Korean War ^2 Voices from Korea: Testimonies of the Korean War Veterans, University of North Texas Press