Thomas W . Fowler Thomas Weldon Fowler ( October 31 , 1921 – June 3 , 1944 ) was a former student of the Texas A & M University , a United States Army officer , and a recipient of America ' s highest military decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in World War II . Fowler joined the Army from his birth city of Wichita Falls , Texas in January 1943 , and by May 23 , 1944 was serving as a Second Lieutenant in the 191st Tank Battalion . On that day , he led a combined armor - infantry attack near Carano in the Anzio Beachhead Italy . Eleven days later , Lieutenant Fowler was killed in action . He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on October 28 , 1944 , for his actions during the battle near Carano . Thomas Weldon Fowler , aged 22 at his death , was buried in Crestview Memorial Park in his hometown of Wichita Falls , Texas , where American Legion Post 169 is named in his honor . Medal of Honor citation . Rank and organization : Second Lieutenant , U . S . Army , 1st Armored Division . Place and date : Near Carano , Italy , May 23 , 1944 . Entered service at : Wichita Falls , Tex . Birth : Wichita Falls , Tex . G . O . No . : 84 , October 28 , 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 .