b. 16/03/1881 Detroit, Michigan. d. 22/06/1918 Belleau, France.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 13-14/06/1918 Bois-de-Belleau, France.
Fred W Stockham MOH
Stockham was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 16, 1881. His mother died and his father traveled to New Jersey where he left the young child to be raised by a foster mother, Sophie Heinz in Newark. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on July 16, 1903, and, over the next four years, served twice in the Philippines, from September 26, 1903, to August 28, 1905, and from September 29, 1906, to January 13, 1907, and did one tour of duty in China in the intervening period. Private Stockham was honorably discharged at New York City on July 15, 1907. He moved to Belleville, New Jersey and served as a fireman in the area. Five years later, on May 31, 1912, he reenlisted in the Marine Corps.
By the time he was again discharged, on May 30, 1916, he had risen to the rank of sergeant and had served most of his term ashore in Nicaragua. Sgt. Stockham saw combat during the engagement at León, Nicaragua, on October 6, 1915, a little over a month before his departure from that troubled Latin American nation. He was honorably discharged again on May 30, 1916, this time at Mare Island, California. However, within a week, he had returned to New York City, where on June 7, he reenlisted.
By February 8, 1918, Sgt. Stockham was in France and heading for the trenches. Between that time and his death, he served in the Toulon sector, in the Aisne operation, and at Belleau Wood. During the last-named battle, Gunnery Sergeant Stockham displayed the “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty” which later earned him the Medal of Honor in 1939 after the statute of limitations was waived by a joint resolution.
Gy. Sgt. Stockham died in France on June 22, 1918. Thanks to the efforts of his former Lt. Clifton Cates (who would eventually become Marine Corps Commandant) and comrades, one of whom was the man whose life his gas mask saved, Barak Mattingly, Gy. Sgt. Stockham was belatedly and posthumously authorized the Medal of Honor by a joint resolution that waived the statute of limitations, passed on July 15, 1939, over 20 years after his sacrifice.
MOH CITATION:
During an intense enemy bombardment with high-explosive and gas shells which wounded or killed many members of the company, GSgt. Stockham, upon noticing that the gas mask of a wounded comrade was shot away, without hesitation, removed his own gas mask and insisted upon giving it to the wounded man, well knowing that the effects of the gas would be fatal to himself. He continued with undaunted courage and valor to direct and assist in the evacuation of the wounded, until he himself collapsed from the effects of gas, dying as a result thereof a few days later. His courageous conduct undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his wounded comrades, and his conspicuous gallantry and spirit of self-sacrifice were a source of great inspiration to all who served with him.
BURIAL LOCATION: HOLLYWOOD CEMETERY, UNION, NEW JERSEY.
SECTION C. BLOCK 9, LOT 13, GRAVE 4.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: SOLDIER’S MEMORIAL, ST LOUIS, MISSOURI.
