Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Stories of Sacrifice

or
  • Filter Recipient Database here
    • Service Branch
    • Conflict / Era
    • Additional Filters
      -  
    or

World War II - U.S. Army

Richard Eller Cowan

Details
  • Rank: Private First Class
  • Conflict/Era: World War II
  • Unit/Command:
    Company M, 23d Infantry,
    2d Infantry Division
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: December 17, 1944
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: near Krinkelter Wald, Belgium
Citation
He was a heavy machine gunner in a section attached to Company I in the vicinity of Krinkelter Wald, Belgium, 17 December 1944, when that company was attacked by a numerically superior force of German infantry and tanks. The first six waves of hostile infantrymen were repulsed with heavy casualties, but a seventh drive with tanks killed or wounded all but three of his section, leaving Pvt. Cowan to man his gun, supported by only 15 to 20 riflemen of Company I. He maintained his position, holding off the Germans until the rest of the shattered force had set up a new line along a firebreak. Then, unaided, he moved his machine gun and ammunition to the second position. At the approach of a Royal Tiger tank, he held his fire until about 80 enemy infantrymen supporting the tank appeared at a distance of about 150 yards. His first burst killed or wounded about half of these infantrymen. His position was rocked by an 88-mm shell when the tank opened fire, but he continued to man his gun, pouring deadly fire into the Germans when they again advanced. He was barely missed by another shell. Fire from three machine guns and innumerable small arms struck all about him; an enemy rocket shook him badly, but did not drive him from his gun. Infiltration by the enemy had by this time made the position untenable, and the order was given to withdraw. Pvt. Cowan was the last man to leave, voluntarily covering the withdrawal of his remaining comrades. His heroic actions were entirely responsible for allowing the remaining men to retire successfully from the scene of their last-ditch stand.
Medal of Honor Recipient Richard E. Cowan
Medal of Honor Recipient Richard E. Cowan
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas
  • Awarded Posthumously: Yes
  • Presentation Date & Details: July 6, 1945
    presented to his father Mr. Ralph E. Cowan
  • Born: December 5, 1922, Lincoln, Lancaster County, NE, United States
  • Died: December 18, 1944, Belgium
  • Buried: Wichita Park Cemetery (MH) (344-2) , Wichita, KS, United States
 

Questions? For More Information Contact Us!