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 The
President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
STOWERS, FREDDIE
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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.
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