Beyond the Call: Medal of Honor Stories

Welcome to Beyond the Call, where history, leadership, and heroism come alive.
Today’s episode explores the incredible story of Corporal Freddie Stowers, a powerful story of courage and perseverance.
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The Heroic Sacrifice of Freddie Stowers
Freddie Stowers exemplifies courage and sacrifice, having been posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism during World War One.
A corporal in the Three Hundred Seventy-First Infantry Regiment, part of the Ninety-Third Infantry Division, Stowers demonstrated exceptional bravery on September twenty-eighth, nineteen eighteen, during a critical assault on Hill One Eight Eight, near the Champagne Marne Sector, France.
Despite suffering severe casualties under relentless enemy fire, Stowers inspired his men through his fearless leadership, embodying the very highest traditions of military service.
His valor continues to stand as a poignant reminder of bravery beyond ordinary expectations.
Amid the chaos of battle, a dramatic moment crystallized Corporal Stowers' heroism.
With his platoon under devastating fire from German machine guns, Stowers saw his fellow soldiers falter amidst heavy losses.
Ignoring his own mortal wounds, he crawled forward, rallying his men to continue the assault.
In those final, courageous moments, his determination and resolve spurred his unit onward, even as he made the ultimate sacrifice for his comrades and country.
Historical Context
The events surrounding Corporal Freddie Stowers' heroism unfolded during the critical late stages of World War One, a global conflict that reshaped the political landscape of the twentieth century.
By nineteen eighteen, after years of brutal trench warfare and massive human losses, the Allies launched major offensives to push German forces back across the Western Front.
The assault on Hill One Eight Eight near Champagne Marne Sector in France was part of a broader strategy to break German defensive positions, pivotal to the larger Meuse Argonne Offensive.
This battle became a turning point, marking one of the final and most decisive campaigns of the war.
The geopolitical stakes in the Meuse Argonne Offensive were enormous.
The success of this final push was crucial to hastening the war's end and ensuring a favorable outcome for the Allies.
France had suffered immensely over four years, and reclaiming occupied territories was not just a strategic goal but also vital to restoring national morale.
Meanwhile, American involvement symbolized a fresh and potent contribution to the Allied effort, signaling a pivotal shift toward the eventual defeat of Germany.
Stowers' bravery must be seen within this significant context, reflecting the intensity and urgency of these final battles.
Freddie Stowers served in the segregated Ninety-Third Infantry Division, composed primarily of African American soldiers, many of whom faced intense discrimination even as they fought valiantly for their country.
Despite this adversity, the Three Hundred Seventy-First Infantry Regiment distinguished itself through exemplary combat performance, earning widespread recognition from French commanders.
Assigned under French command, these African American troops were equipped and trained in French tactics, resulting in their critical participation in several key engagements.
Their outstanding battlefield performance challenged prevailing prejudices and paved the way for future civil rights advancements.
The terrain around Hill One Eight Eight was particularly challenging, characterized by heavily fortified German positions, dense barbed wire entanglements, and deeply entrenched machine-gun nests.
These obstacles forced Allied troops into costly frontal assaults under devastating enemy fire.
The German strategy emphasized strong, resilient defensive lines designed to inflict maximum casualties and prolong engagements.
To break these defenses required immense courage, tactical adaptability, and unwavering leadership—qualities vividly exemplified by soldiers like Stowers.
The sacrifice of Freddie Stowers and his fellow soldiers had lasting implications beyond the immediate tactical successes of their assaults.
Their actions contributed decisively to weakening German morale and hastening the armistice signed just weeks later, on November eleventh, nineteen eighteen.
Furthermore, the bravery demonstrated by African American troops directly impacted post-war attitudes regarding race and equality within the military.
Though many of these heroes initially received little recognition, their valor laid a foundation that would inspire future generations in the ongoing struggle for racial justice and military integration.
Personal Background
Freddie Stowers was born on January twelfth, eighteen ninety-six, in Sandy Springs, Anderson County, South Carolina.
Growing up in the rural South during an era of pervasive racial segregation and limited opportunities, Stowers worked as a farm laborer before enlisting in the United States Army.
Motivated by patriotism and the desire for a better future, Stowers joined thousands of African American soldiers who volunteered or were drafted to serve their country despite facing systemic discrimination.
His decision to serve reflected both personal courage and a broader aspiration for recognition and equality.
Tragically, Corporal Stowers did not survive the war; he died heroically during the assault on Hill One Eight Eight on September twenty-eighth, nineteen eighteen.
Initially overlooked due to racial prejudice, Stowers’ bravery went officially unrecognized for decades.
It was not until April twenty-fourth, nineteen ninety-one—seventy-three years after his sacrifice—that President George H. W. Bush posthumously awarded him the Medal of Honor, presenting it to his surviving sisters at the White House.
Today, Stowers rests among fellow heroes in the Meuse Argonne American Cemetery in France, and his legacy continues to inspire recognition and respect for African American soldiers' sacrifices and contributions to American history.
Medal of Honor Citation
Corporal Freddie Stowers, United States Army, distinguished himself by exceptional heroism on September twenty-eighth, nineteen eighteen, while serving as a squad leader in Company C, Three Hundred Seventy-First Infantry Regiment, Ninety-Third Infantry Division, in action near Hill One Eight Eight, Champagne Marne Sector, France.
Corporal Stowers' company was the lead company during the attack on Hill One Eight Eight, a heavily fortified enemy position defended by barbed wire entanglements, machine-gun nests, and entrenched enemy infantry.
As the assault progressed, the enemy feigned surrender, enabling them to mow down Corporal Stowers' company with devastating fire.
Demonstrating extraordinary courage and leadership, Corporal Stowers took charge, rallying his troops and leading them forward through intense machine-gun and mortar fire.
Although severely wounded, he refused to halt and continued to lead and inspire his men until he succumbed to his injuries.
His heroic actions galvanized his men to continue their assault, capturing Hill One Eight Eight and inflicting heavy enemy casualties.
Corporal Stowers' extraordinary heroism, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest traditions of military service and bring great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
The Battle and Medal of Honor Actions
On the morning of September twenty-eighth, nineteen eighteen, Corporal Freddie Stowers and his fellow soldiers of Company C, Three Hundred Seventy-First Infantry Regiment, began their advance towards the heavily fortified German position on Hill One Eight Eight.
The morning was misty and cool, the landscape scarred by years of warfare, marked by muddy trenches and shell craters.
As the lead company, Stowers' unit was tasked with spearheading the assault, knowing fully well the immense risks they faced.
With determination and discipline, they moved steadily across no man's land, their senses alert to every potential danger.
Initially, the German defenders appeared ready to surrender, climbing out of their trenches and raising their arms in apparent capitulation.
Believing the fight was won, the American soldiers momentarily relaxed their guard, slowing their advance.
However, the surrender was a deceptive tactic designed to lure the attackers into a deadly trap.
Suddenly, without warning, the German troops opened fire with machine guns and mortars, inflicting devastating casualties on the unprepared American soldiers.
Amidst the chaos and confusion, Corporal Stowers quickly realized the perilous situation.
He immediately took command, rallying his men who were scattered and disoriented by the ambush.
Shouting orders and encouraging those around him, he led the remnants of his platoon forward under heavy enemy fire.
His presence was a beacon of courage, steadying men who might otherwise have retreated or hesitated under the intense barrage.
Determined not to let the deception break their spirit, Stowers personally charged toward the German machine-gun nests.
As he pushed forward, he inspired his soldiers to follow, displaying remarkable bravery as he moved ahead, fully exposed to enemy bullets.
Despite being hit multiple times and severely wounded, he refused to stop or seek cover.
His only concern was to continue the fight and ensure the success of their critical mission.
As the intensity of fire escalated, Stowers, bleeding heavily and weakened by his wounds, continued to lead from the front.
His indomitable spirit galvanized those around him, prompting soldiers to rise again and advance despite the peril.
Stowers' leadership transformed what could have been a disastrous setback into an organized and relentless push toward the enemy lines.
His example created a ripple effect, empowering others to fight with renewed vigor and determination.
Eventually, overcome by his grievous wounds, Corporal Stowers collapsed, succumbing on the battlefield he had fought so fiercely to conquer.
Yet his extraordinary actions did not go in vain.
Inspired by their fallen leader's courage and sacrifice, the men of Company C pressed on with renewed determination.
They overcame the entrenched German positions, successfully capturing Hill One Eight Eight, inflicting heavy casualties, and achieving a crucial strategic victory.
The hill that had cost Stowers his life became a symbol of triumph, courage, and sacrifice that resonated far beyond the trenches.
Reflections and Lessons Learned
The extraordinary actions of Corporal Freddie Stowers offer powerful lessons in courage, resilience, and leadership under adversity.
Stowers demonstrated that genuine leadership emerges not from rank or position, but from the willingness to act decisively and selflessly in moments of crisis.
His bravery underscores the importance of moral and physical courage, illustrating vividly that inspiring others often requires personal sacrifice and the ability to place collective well-being above individual survival.
Moreover, Stowers' story sheds critical light on the broader issues of racial discrimination and inequality faced by African American soldiers during World War One.
His valor, recognized only decades later, exemplifies both the injustices endured and the perseverance displayed by African Americans who served their nation faithfully despite systemic prejudice.
The eventual acknowledgment of Stowers' heroism serves as a potent reminder of society's capacity—and ongoing responsibility—to confront and rectify historical wrongs.
Finally, Freddie Stowers' legacy remains deeply relevant to modern military personnel, leaders, and civilians alike.
It teaches the enduring values of integrity, selflessness, and unwavering commitment, essential qualities in both military and civilian life.
His actions remind us that true heroism transcends individual recognition, profoundly impacting the lives of those around us and resonating long after the battles have ended.
Closing
The heroic legacy of Corporal Freddie Stowers continues to inspire generations, highlighting the extraordinary courage and profound sacrifice exemplified by Medal of Honor recipients.
His story serves not only as a powerful historical lesson but also as a call to uphold the values of bravery, leadership, and equality in our own lives.
Join us next time as we uncover another remarkable Medal of Honor story, celebrating heroism that goes truly beyond the call.
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Thank you for joining me on today’s episode of Beyond the Call.
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Until next time, keep exploring, stay inspired, and remember—the lessons of the past shape the warriors of the future.