Medal of Honor: Freddie Stowers, World War I, September 28, 1918

Name: Freddie Stowers
Rank: Corporal
War: World War I
Date of Action: September 28, 1918
Unit: Company C, 371st Infantry Regiment, 93rd Infantry Division
Accredited to: Anderson County, South Carolina

Summary of Action
At Hill 188 in the Champagne-Marne sector, the 371st Infantry advanced under brutal German resistance. Enemy troops feigned surrender, tricking the Americans into the open before unleashing a murderous ambush. Corporal Freddie Stowers, leading his squad, rose above the carnage. Crawling through machine gun and mortar fire, he inspired his men by personal example, silencing one deadly nest after fierce fighting. Pressing on to a second trench line, Stowers was struck down by enemy fire. Mortally wounded, he refused to stop—dragging himself forward and urging his men to continue. His courage ignited their spirit, and the 371st stormed the enemy trenches, capturing Hill 188 and inflicting heavy losses. Though he fell in battle, Stowers’ sacrifice broke the enemy line and led his men to victory.

Medal of Honor Citation
STOWERS, FREDDIE
Corporal Stowers, a native of Anderson County, South Carolina, distinguished himself by exceptional heroism on 28 September 1918, while serving as a squad leader in Company C, 371st Infantry Regiment, 93rd Infantry Division. His company was the lead company during the attack on Hill 188, Champagne Marne Sector, France, during World War I. A few minutes after the attack began, the enemy ceased firing and began climbing up onto the parapets of the trenches, holding up their arms as if wishing to surrender. The enemy’s actions caused the American forces to cease fire and to come out into the open. As the company started forward and when within about 100 meters of the trench line, the enemy jumped back into their trenches and greeted Corporal Stowers’ company with interlocking bands of machine gun fire and mortar fire causing well over fifty percent casualties. Faced with incredible enemy resistance, Corporal Stowers took charge, setting such a courageous example of personal bravery and leadership that he inspired his men to follow him in the attack. With extraordinary heroism and complete disregard of personal danger under devastating fire, he crawled forward leading his squad toward an enemy machine gun nest, which was causing heavy casualties to his company. After fierce fighting, the machine gun position was destroyed and the enemy soldiers were killed. Displaying great courage and intrepidity, Corporal Stowers continued to press the attack against a determined enemy. While crawling forward and urging his men to continue the attack on a second trench line, he was gravely wounded by machine gun fire. Although, Corporal Stowers was mortally wounded, he pressed forward, urging on the members of his squad, until he died. Inspired by the heroism and display of bravery of Corporal Stowers, his company continued the attack against incredible odds, contributing to the capture of Hill 188 and causing heavy enemy casualties. Corporal Stowers’ conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism and supreme devotion to his men were well above and beyond the call of duty, follow the finest traditions of military service and reflect the utmost credit on him and the United States Army.