Medal of Honor: Thomas W. Fowler - World War II - May 23, 1944

Name: Thomas W. Fowler
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: 1st Armored Division
Date of Action: May 23, 1944
Location: Near Carano, Italy

Summary of Action

On 23 May 1944, Second Lieutenant Thomas W. Fowler displayed extraordinary heroism during combat operations near Carano, Italy.

During a full-scale armored and infantry assault against German positions, Fowler encountered two infantry platoons that had become completely disorganized after being halted by an enemy minefield.

Although he was a tank officer and not assigned to the infantry, Fowler immediately took charge of the situation.

Under enemy fire and facing the constant threat of hidden explosives, he personally entered the minefield alone to conduct a reconnaissance.

Using only his hands, he carefully lifted anti-personnel mines from the ground and cleared a safe path through the seventy-five-yard-wide belt of explosives.

After completing the dangerous passage, he returned to the stranded infantrymen and personally guided them through the minefield one squad at a time.

Still under small-arms fire and with mines surrounding him, Fowler then moved ahead again into enemy territory searching for a route to continue the advance.

Returning once more through the minefield, he led American tanks safely through the cleared lane into positions where they could support the infantry attack.

Acting as a scout nearly three hundred yards ahead of the advancing soldiers, Fowler led the assault forward until reaching the objective area, where he encountered dug-in German infantrymen.

Taking the enemy by surprise, he dragged German soldiers from their foxholes and sent them to the rear as prisoners.

When others resisted, he attacked their dugouts with grenades.

Realizing a dangerous gap existed between friendly units, Fowler continued advancing to secure the exposed flank.

Under heavy mortar and small-arms fire, he repositioned both infantry and tanks into stronger defensive positions.

Moments later, German armor launched a fierce counterattack.

Enemy Mark VI tanks opened direct fire on Fowler's position, setting one American tank ablaze.

Without hesitation and with shells exploding around him, Fowler ran directly into the enemy fire to reach the burning vehicle and attempt to rescue the wounded crew.

For nearly thirty minutes, while enemy tanks strafed and advanced on his position and other elements withdrew, Fowler remained forward attempting to save the trapped soldiers.

Only when the enemy tanks nearly overran the position did he pull back slightly, where he immediately began administering first aid to wounded infantrymen while still under relentless enemy fire.

His courage, leadership, and complete disregard for his own safety embodied the highest traditions of military service.

Medal of Honor Citation

FOWLER, THOMAS W.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, on 23 May 1944, in the vicinity of Carano, Italy. In the midst of a full-scale armored-infantry attack, 2d Lt. Fowler, while on foot, came upon 2 completely disorganized infantry platoons held up in their advance by an enemy minefield. Although a tank officer, he immediately reorganized the infantry. He then made a personal reconnaissance through the minefield, clearing a path as he went, by lifting the antipersonnel mines out of the ground with his hands. After he had gone through the 75-yard belt of deadly explosives, he returned to the infantry and led them through the minefield, a squad at a time. As they deployed, 2d Lt. Fowler, despite small arms fire and the constant danger of antipersonnel mines, made a reconnaissance into enemy territory in search of a route to continue the advance. He then returned through the minefield and, on foot, he led the tanks through the mines into a position from which they could best support the infantry. Acting as scout 300 yards in front of the infantry, he led the 2 platoons forward until he had gained his objective, where he came upon several dug-in enemy infantrymen. Having taken them by surprise, 2d Lt. Fowler dragged them out of their foxholes and sent them to the rear; twice, when they resisted, he threw hand grenades into their dugouts. Realizing that a dangerous gap existed between his company and the unit to his right, 2d Lt. Fowler decided to continue his advance until the gap was filled. He reconnoitered to his front, brought the infantry into position where they dug in and, under heavy mortar and small arms fire, brought his tanks forward. A few minutes later, the enemy began an armored counterattack. Several Mark Vl tanks fired their cannons directly on 2d Lt. Fowler's position. One of his tanks was set afire. With utter disregard for his own life, with shells bursting near him, he ran directly into the enemy tank fire to reach the burning vehicle. For a half-hour, under intense strafing from the advancing tanks, although all other elements had withdrawn, he remained in his forward position, attempting to save the lives of the wounded tank crew. Only when the enemy tanks had almost overrun him, did he withdraw a short distance where he personally rendered first aid to 9 wounded infantrymen in the midst of the relentless incoming fire. 2d Lt. Fowler's courage, his ability to estimate the situation and to recognize his full responsibility as an officer in the Army of the United States, exemplify the high traditions of the military service for which he later gave his life.