FOWLER, THOMAS W.

FOWLER, THOMAS W. (1921–1944). Thomas W. Fowler, Medal of Honor recipient, was born at Wichita Falls, Texas, on October 31, 1921, the son of Mrs. A. H. Fowler. On May 23, 1944, he was a second lieutenant with the First Armored Division, United States Army, near Carano, Italy. During an armored-infantry attack he came upon two disorganized infantry platoons held back by a minefield. Although a tank officer, he reorganized the platoons, cleared a path through the mines with his bare hands, led his tanks into a position to cover the infantry, then led the two platoons to reach their objectives. The enemy began an armored counterattack on Fowler's position. One of his tanks was set afire. He ran through the enemy tank fire and for a half hour, still under intense fire, attempted to save the lives of the wounded tank crew. Finally forced to retreat, but still under incoming fire, he gave first aid to nine wounded infantrymen. Fowler was killed in combat ten days later. He is buried in Crestview Memorial Park, Wichita Falls.