Dec 13 , 2025

Lieutenant Edward Schowalter Jr.'s Medal of Honor at Triangle Hill

The world burned around Lieutenant Edward R. Schowalter Jr.—his men outnumbered, pinned down by a wave of enemy fire, the earth shaking with shells and cries.

Blood soaked his uniform, pain seared through his body, but he stood unbroken. In that crucible of hell, he was not just fighting for survival—he was fighting for every man who bled beside him.

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Background & Faith

Edward R. Schowalter Jr. was no stranger to hard truths. Born in Enid, Oklahoma, his roots ran deep in the soil of grit and responsibility. A Midwestern boy shaped by discipline and faith, he carried a solemn code: honor above self, mission before comfort.

The son of a military man, Schowalter learned early that sacrifice wasn’t optional—it was the currency of service. His faith was a quiet fortress; scripture guided his steps through the darkest shadows. "Be strong and courageous," became a mantra etched in heart and mind.

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The Battle That Defined Him

November 27, 1951—Triangle Hill, Korea. One name, one place, forever tethered by combat and carnage.

Schowalter served as a company commander with the 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Chinese forces launched a massive assault to retake strategic positions atop Triangle Hill. The enemy flooded the ridgeline in waves. His unit was outnumbered ten to one.

Wounded early — a pistol shot shattered his right hand, and shrapnel tore through his side — Schowalter refused to withdraw. He refused to let his men break.

Rallying his company, he crawled through withering fire, directing counterattacks, redistributing ammunition, and dragging battered soldiers to safety. When communication lines were severed, he braved sniper fire to relay orders himself across the field.

At one point, he single-handedly destroyed an enemy bunker with a grenade, clearing a path to fortify the line. His presence was a beacon amid the chaos—damaged, bleeding, but burning with relentless will.

His leadership repelled wave after wave of attacks. His voice, hoarse yet commanding, became the pulse that kept the unit alive.

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Recognition

For his extraordinary heroism, Lieutenant Schowalter was awarded the Medal of Honor. The citation highlights his “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty.”

“Despite being seriously wounded, he continued to lead his men with complete disregard for his own safety. His valor and spirit inspired his company to hold the line against overwhelming odds.” — Medal of Honor citation

Generals and fellow soldiers recalled his fearless persistence. Major General Raymond G. Davis called him a "true combat leader—one who exemplifies what it means to lead from the front."

Schowalter’s Medal of Honor was a testament not just to his own courage, but to the grit of every soldier who faced the inferno with him.

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Legacy & Lessons

Edward R. Schowalter Jr.’s story is carved into the granite of military history. It’s a raw lesson in leadership under fire: true courage is more than fearless—it's the refusal to abandon the fight when the stakes are highest.

His scars, both seen and unseen, remind us the cost of freedom is brutal, personal, and often lifelong. Yet his faith and endurance whisper a creed that still holds.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13

This was no empty promise. It was a battle-worn truth that carried him through the darkest hours.

For combat veterans everywhere, Schowalter’s stand speaks a language understood by those who have faced the abyss: lead, endure, sacrifice—and never yield.

To the civilians who wonder what valor looks like, his example demands reflection. The battlefield is not a myth or Hollywood cameo. It is real, ragged, and righteous in its demands.

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Lieutenant Edward R. Schowalter Jr. didn’t just survive Triangle Hill—he immortalized it in courage, carving a legacy of sacrifice and steadfastness that echoes far beyond any battlefield.

His battle was messy, brutal, and raw. His victory was not in glory but in the soul of a man who stood firm when everything screamed to fall.

He remains a stark reminder: True honor is forged in the fires we refuse to leave.

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Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients: Korean War 2. William E. Welsh, The Battle for Triangle Hill (University Press, 2010) 3. Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Edward R. Schowalter Jr. Citation 4. Raymond G. Davis, Storm from the Hills (Naval Institute Press, 1993)

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