Freddie Stowers, Medal of Honor

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Cpl. Freddie Stowers

Birthdate:
Birthplace: Sandy Springs, Anderson County, South Carolina
Death: September 28, 1918 (21-22)
Near, Romagne-sous-les-Côtes, Lorraine, France (enemy machine gun fire)
Place of Burial: Romagne-sous-les-Côtes, Lorraine, France
Immediate Family:

Son of Wiley Stowers and Ann Stowers
Husband of Pearl Stowers
Father of Minnie Lee Stowers
Brother of Lula Rice; Minnie Stowers; Edwin Stowers; John Franklin Stowers; Georgiana Palmer and 2 others

Occupation: 371st Infantry Regiment, 93rd Infantry Division Colored (United States)
Managed by: Shirley Marie Caulk
Last Updated:

About Freddie Stowers, Medal of Honor

Freddie Stowers (1896–September 28, 1918) was a Corporal in the United States Army who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions in World War I while serving in an American unit under French command.

Stowers was born in Sandy Springs, South Carolina, the grandson of a slave. Before the war, he worked as a farmhand. He married a woman named Pearl, with whom he had one daughter, Minnie Lee.

Stowers was drafted into the Army in 1917, and assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion of the segregated U.S. 371st Infantry Regiment, originally part of the 93d Infantry Division (Colored).

Medal of Honor citation

Corporal Stowers, distinguished himself by exceptional heroism on September 28, 1918 while serving as a squad leader in Company C, 371st Infantry Regiment, 93d 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



https://www.army.mil/article/9075/medal_of_honor_recognition_long_o...

The grandson of a slave, Stowers was born in Sandy Springs, S.C. on January 12, 1896. Stowers entered World War I in 1917, and was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion of the 371st Infantry Regiment, a segregated unit (the U.S. military remained segregated until 1948).

Seventy-three years after his death, Cpl. Freddie Stowers was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor during World War I. He is the only African American to receive this honor for service during this war.

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/fstowers.htm

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Freddie Stowers, Medal of Honor's Timeline

1896
1896
Sandy Springs, Anderson County, South Carolina
1918
September 28, 1918
Age 22
Near, Romagne-sous-les-Côtes, Lorraine, France
1918
????
Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial, Romagne-sous-les-Côtes, Lorraine, France