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Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 1st Armored Division.
Place and date: Near Carano, Italy, 23 May 1944. Entered service at: Wichita
Falls, Tex. Birth: Wichita Falls, Tex. G.O. No.: 84, 28 October, 1944.
Citation: 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the advancing tanks, although all other elements had withdrawn, he remained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.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
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