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, Cpl. 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 Cpl. 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 Cpl. 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 Cpl. Stowers, his company continued the attack against incredible odds, contributing to the capture of Hill 188 and causing heavy enemy casualties. Cpl. 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. See also List of African American Medal of Honor recipients List of Medal of Honor recipients List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War I Notes References Beattie, Taylor V. "Personality: Seventy-three years after his bayonet assault on Hill 188, Freddie Stowers got his Medal of Honor." Military History August, 2004. Volume 21, No. 3. External links 1896 births 1918 deaths People from Anderson County, South Carolina Military personnel from South Carolina African Americans in World War I American military personnel killed in World War I Burials at Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery United States Army Medal of Honor recipients United States Army non-commissioned officers World War I recipients of the Medal of Honor United States Army personnel of World War I African-American United States Army personnel