Summary
Charles E. Mower (November 29, 1924 – November 3, 1944) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.
Charles E. Mower | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | November 29, 1924 Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin |
| Died | November 3, 1944 (aged 19) near Capoocan, Leyte, the Philippines |
| Place of burial | Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Taguig, Philippines |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Mower joined the Army from his birth city of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and by November 3, 1944, was serving as a Sergeant in Company A, 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division during the Battle of Leyte. During an attack against Japanese positions that day, near Capoocan, Leyte, in the Philippines, Mower took command of his squad after the leader was killed and led his men from an exposed position despite being seriously wounded. He was killed during the battle and, on February 11, 1946, posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.[1][2]
Mower was buried at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Taguig, Philippines.
Medal of Honor citation edit
Sergeant Mower's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
He was an assistant squad leader in an attack against strongly defended enemy positions on both sides of a stream running through a wooded gulch. As the squad advanced through concentrated fire, the leader was killed and Sgt. Mower assumed command. In order to bring direct fire upon the enemy, he had started to lead his men across the stream, which by this time was churned by machinegun and rifle fire, but he was severely wounded before reaching the opposite bank. After signaling his unit to halt, he realized his own exposed position was the most advantageous point from which to direct the attack, and stood fast. Half submerged, gravely wounded, but refusing to seek shelter or accept aid of any kind, he continued to shout and signal to his squad as he directed it in the destruction of 2 enemy machineguns and numerous riflemen. Discovering that the intrepid man in the stream was largely responsible for the successful action being taken against them, the remaining Japanese concentrated the full force of their firepower upon him, and he was killed while still urging his men on. Sgt. Mower's gallant initiative and heroic determination aided materially in the successful completion of his squad's mission. His magnificent leadership was an inspiration to those with whom he served.[3]
Legacy edit
In 1947, USS Tryon (APH-1) was reconfigured and placed in service as the Sgt. Charles E. Mower. The Mower last operated as a dependent transport shuttling between San Francisco and Pearl Harbor until she was inactivated in 1954.
See also edit
Notes edit
- ^ "Sgt. Charles Mower Chippewa Falls". The Daily Telegram. July 3, 1969. p. 25. Retrieved April 17, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Awarded Medal". The Rhinelander Daily News. February 20, 1946. p. 2. Retrieved April 17, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Medal of Honor recipients - World War II (M-S)". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on April 30, 2008. Retrieved December 3, 2007.
References edit
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.- "Charles E. Mower". World War II Burial Listings. American Battle Monuments Commission. Archived from the original on January 3, 2009. Retrieved December 3, 2007.
External links edit
- "Charles E. Mower". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
