CPL Freddie Stowers died of his injuries while on the battlefield in France during World War 1 on September 28, 1918, just six weeks before the war was over. CPL Stowers was buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in France, Plot F, Row 36, Grave 40.

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' military career began at Fort Jackson, where he joined the First Provisional Infantry Regiment (Colored) on Oct. 4, 1917. He was was part of the first military draft of World War I.

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). Although his unit arrived in France as part of the American Expeditionary Force, Stowers' regiment, like the others in the division, was seconded to the 157 th French Army division called the Red Hand Division in need of reinforcement under the command of the General Mariano Goybet.

On September 28, 1918, just six weeks before the end of World War I, Stowers was killed as he led a squad from the all-black 371st Infantry Regiment into no-man's land in France and defeated German troops. His commanding officer recommended him for the Medal of Honor, but the nomination languished for 70 years - "misplaced," the Army said.

In 1988, after two congressmen resurrected the case, President George H. W. Bush awarded the medal posthumously to Stowers' two surviving sisters. He is the first African American soldier from World War I or World War II to receive the Medal of Honor. Efforts to locate CPL Stowers wife Pearl or his daughter Minne Lee have been unsuccessful.

He joined the First Provisional Infantry Regiment (Colored), US Army on October 4, 1917, shortly after it was organized in August 1917 at Camp (now Fort) Jackson, SC. The First Regiment was composed of black men from the first military draft of WWI. On December 1, 1917, he was promoted to Private First Class, the same day his unit was redesignated the 371st Infantry Regiment of the 186th Infantry Brigade. He was shipped Overseas to join the American Expeditionary Force on April 7, 1918.

Shortly after his death, Stowers was recommended for the Medal of Honor; however, this recommendation was never processed. Three other black soldiers were recommended for Medals of Honor, but were instead awarded the next best thing, the Distinguished Service Cross. This decision may have partly been motivated by institutional racism; however, it should be noted that the criteria for the Medal of Honor were becoming stricter during this time period, partly due to a perception that it was being awarded too frequently, especially to members of the Army, while members of the naval services could receive one of two different medals, both called the Medal of Honor. Marine officer Smedley Butler, for instance, might have received three or four, instead of two, total Medals of Honor, or he might have received only one, if the actions for which they were awarded had occurred only a few years earlier or later than they did. Many possibly deserving whites and persons of color were denied medals, while some possibly less deserving people received them. In Stowers' case, the official position is that his recommendation was "misplaced," which is plausible given that the other three MOH recommendations for black soldiers were at least processed, even if the decision to award the DSC remains controversial and possibly racism-related.

In 1990, at the instigation of Congress, the Department of the Army conducted a review and the Stowers recommendation was uncovered. Subsequently, a team was dispatched to France to investigate the circumstances of Stowers' death. Based on information collected by this team, the Army Decorations Board approved the award of the Medal of Honor. On April 24, 1991 �?? seventy-three years after he was killed-in-action�??Stowers' surviving sisters, Georgina and Mary, received the medal from President George H. W. Bush at the White House.

Medal of Honor Citation

Awarded for actions during the World War I

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Corporal Freddie Stowers, United States Army, for exceptional heroism on 28 September 1918, while serving as a squad leader in Company C, 371st Infantry Regiment, 93d Infantry Division. Corporal Stowers' 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.

General Orders: Date of Issue: April 24, 1991
Action Date: 28-Sep-18
Service: Army
Rank: Corporal
Company: Company C
Regiment: 371st Infantry Regiment
Division: 93d Division

On June 1, 1994, the South Carolina passed a concurrent resolution, "to commend the extrordinary heroism of Corporal Freddie Stowers and to honor him as the first African American to be awarded the Medal fo Honor for World War I or World War II."

In 2008 CPL Stowers was featured in the PBS show �??The Red Hand Division,�?? as part of the History Detectives series.

The Anderson County Museum in South Carolina has a permanent exhibit on CPL Stowers. There are period uniforms and a replica of his Medal of Honor on display.

One of the seven public schools at Fort Benning is named "Stowers Elementary School" in his honor.

Freddie Stowers Elementary School is the newest elementary school located at Fort Benning. The 33 classroom school houses K-5 regular and special education classes and a stateof-the-art media center and technology center.

Private Stowers was promoted to Private First Class on December 1, 1917, and he was promoted to Corporal on May 8, 1918.

Stowers, Freddie, Cpl