Korean War Hero Edward Schowalter Jr.'s Medal of Honor

Dec 21 , 2025

Korean War Hero Edward Schowalter Jr.'s Medal of Honor

Blood on the frozen ground. A lone lieutenant, battered, bleeding, and outnumbered, stands his ground. The night hangs heavy over Korea, but Edward R. Schowalter Jr. fights like his life depends on it—because it does. Every inch of that bitter battlefield bore witness to his resolve.

The Man Behind the Rifle

Edward Robert Schowalter Jr. knew sacrifice before the enemy's bullets came. Born into a nation still recovering from one world war, he came of age steeped in a stoic Midwestern grit. His faith in God was as unshakable as his grit. A devout man, his reverence for duty stemmed from scripture and the warrior’s code etched deep in his soul—honor, courage, and selflessness.

He carried a belief that war was hell, yes, but a crucible that revealed what men were made of.

"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

The Battle That Defined Him: Heartbreak Ridge

September 12, 1951. The hills of Korea were soaked with blood and sweat—grueling, frozen, unforgiving terrain. Lieutenant Schowalter, commanding Company A, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, faced an enemy twice his unit’s size.

The North Koreans poured wave after wave of attacks against their position on Hill 605—later known as Heartbreak Ridge. The fighting was brutal, a deadly chess match clashing in the muddy trenches and tangled barbed wire.

Despite the chaos, despite severe wounds, Schowalter refused to yield. Bullet wounds in his arm and leg didn’t stop him from rallying his men. Twice the enemy overran key outposts—twice he led counterattacks to reclaim them.

He crawled to the front lines under relentless fire, weapon in hand, voice booming orders that cut through the panic. When hand grenades threatened to silence his unit’s defense, Schowalter stood in the open, drawing enemy fire like a magnet—marking himself to save his men.

Bloodied, exhausted, and with two broken ribs, he led bayonet charges, pushed the enemy back, and held the hill. His determination turned a sure defeat into a narrow victory—a testament to what grit and leadership can do against impossible odds.

Earning the Medal of Honor

For his valor, Edward R. Schowalter Jr. received the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

“Lieutenant Schowalter’s outstanding courage, leadership, and determined fighting spirit contributed significantly to the successful defense of a vital position. Despite severe injuries, he refused medical aid and continued to direct operations, inspiring his men to repel overwhelming enemy attacks.”

General Matthew Ridgway hailed the battle as a key turning point in the grim Korean stalemate. Schowalter’s stand “exemplified the fighting spirit and heroism of American soldiers.”

Fellow veterans remember him as a quiet man, unyielding in battle but humble beyond measure. As one comrade put it, “When Ed led, you followed. Because you knew he’d never quit. Not for a second.”

The Legacy Written in Scars

The scars Schowalter bore were not just on flesh, but on spirit. Korea was a war fought in shadows and cold wounds—victories measured in inches and saved lives. But from that frozen hell came something else: a legacy of grit and grit’s reward—redemption through sacrifice.

His story is not one of mythical invincibility. It’s the echo of every soldier who staggered on, bloodied but unbowed, fighting for brothers beside them and for a cause bigger than themselves.

Today, Edward Schowalter’s courage calls us to look beyond comfort and convenience. To stand when standing seems impossible. To bear wounds with dignity. To fight not for glory, but because it is right.

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

The battlefields may fade, but men like Schowalter leave behind a blaze—proof that courage is forged in fire, and true heroism rises not from victory alone, but from the undying will to confront fear, pain, and the abyss itself.

His story is a torch passed through generations, calling every veteran—and every man at peace—to stand tall long after the guns fall silent.

Sources

1. Department of Defense, “Medal of Honor Recipients: Korean War,” Official Citation of Edward R. Schowalter Jr. 2. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Korean War Order of Battle and Unit Histories 3. Ridgway, Matthew B., The Korean War: Combat Operations (David McKay Company, 1967) 4. Interviews, Voices of the Korean War Veterans Archive (Library of Congress)