Edward Rightor Schowalter Jr. (December 24, 1927 – November 21, 2003) was a United States Army officer in the Korean War who received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. He was awarded the medal for commanding his company in an assault against a fortified position, and for continuing to lead after being seriously wounded.

Biography

Schowalter was born on December 24, 1927, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Edward R. Schowalter, Sr., and Ruth Johnson. After graduating from Metairie High School in nearby Metairie in June 1945, he enlisted in the Merchant Marine during the final months of World War II. Afterwards, he attended the Virginia Military Institute in

Lexington, Virginia Lexington is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. At the 2020 census, the population was 7,320. It is the county seat of Rockbridge County, although the two are separate jurisdictions. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines ...

, and upon his graduation in 1951 with a B.S. degree in chemistry he was commissioned a

second lieutenant Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces, comparable to NATO OF-1 rank. Australia The rank of second lieutenant existed in the military forces of the Australian colonies and Australian Army until ...

in the U.S. Army. He was later promoted to first lieutenant and served in Korea with Company A, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. On October 14, 1952, near Kumhwa and what is today the border between North and South Korea, Schowalter's

company A company, abbreviated as co., is a Legal personality, legal entity representing an association of people, whether Natural person, natural, Legal person, legal or a mixture of both, with a specific objective. Company members share a common p ...

was selected to spearhead an attack on a fortified Chinese position known as Jane Russell Hill. As he led Company A toward the hill, they came under intense small-arms, grenade, and mortar fire. Schowalter received two grazing wounds to his hand and ankle before being shot in the helmet by a sniper. The bullet lodged under the skin in his right ear and knocked him unconscious. When he awoke, he refused medical attention and resumed leading his soldiers forward. When he was wounded in the right side by a grenade, he again turned away medical aid and continued to command Company A until the hill was taken. For these actions, Schowalter was awarded the Medal of Honor. The medal was formally presented to him roughly four months later by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, during a ceremony at the White House. In his home of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, a military parade was held in his honor and parish officials gave him a new car, and the mayor of New Orleans, Chep Morrison, gave him the

keys to the city The Freedom of the City (or Borough in some parts of the UK) is an honour bestowed by a municipality upon a valued member of the community, or upon a visiting celebrity or dignitary. Arising from the medieval practice of granting respected ...

. Schowalter reached the rank of colonel and served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War before retiring in 1977. He graduated from the

Infantry School A School of Infantry provides training in weapons and infantry tactics to infantrymen of a nation's military forces. Schools of infantry include: Australia *Australian Army – School of Infantry, Lone Pine Barracks at Singleton, NSW. France ...

Advanced Course in 1960 and the Army Command and General Staff College in 1964. In addition to the Medal of Honor, Schowalter also received the

Silver Star The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an e ...

and two Purple Hearts. Schowalter married after the Korean War and he and his wife, Bonney, had five children. Two of his sons also served in the military. After his retirement, the family settled in Auburn, Alabama. He died at age 75 on November 21, 2003, and was buried at the

Fort Benning Post Cemetery Fort Benning Main Post Cemetery is a military cemetery at Fort Benning in Georgia. Over 10,000 United States Army soldiers and their dependents have been interred at the 8.38-acre facility since it was established in 1922. The first recorded int ...

in Fort Benning (now

Fort Moore Fort Moore was the second of two historic U.S. Military Forts in Los Angeles, California, during the Mexican–American War. It lay straight above the junction of the Hollywood Freeway and Broadway, on an historic hill that once sheltered the o ...

), Georgia.

Medal of Honor citation

Schowalter West and Charette with Eisenhower

Schowalter's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

1st Lt. Schowalter, commanding, Company A, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. Committed to attack and occupy a key-approach to the primary objective, the 1st Platoon of his company came under heavy vicious small-arms, grenade, and mortar fire within 50 yards of the enemy-held strongpoint, halting the advance and inflicting several casualties. The 2d Platoon moved up in support at this juncture, and although wounded, 1st Lt. Schowalter continued to spearhead the assault. Nearing the objective he was severely wounded by a grenade fragment but, refusing medical aid, he led his men into the trenches and began routing the enemy from the bunkers with grenades. Suddenly from a burst of fire from a hidden cove off the trench he was again wounded. Although suffering from his wounds, he refused to relinquish command and continued issuing orders and encouraging his men until the commanding ground was secured and then he was evacuated. 1st Lt. Schowalter's unflinching courage, extraordinary heroism, and inspirational leadership reflect the highest credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

References

: {{DEFAULTSORT:Schowalter, Edward R. 1927 births 2003 deaths Military personnel from New Orleans People from Metairie, Louisiana United States Merchant Mariners of World War II Virginia Military Institute alumni United States Army personnel of the Korean War United States Army Medal of Honor recipients Korean War recipients of the Medal of Honor United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War Recipients of the Silver Star United States Army colonels

Biography

Medal of Honor citation

See also

References