Fred W. Stockham

Infobox Military Person
name= Fred William Stockham
born= birth date|1881|3|16
died= Death date and age|1918|6|22|1881|3|16
placeofbirth= Detroit, Michigan
placeofdeath= DOW in France
placeofburial=


caption=
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Marine Corps
serviceyears= 1903–07, 1912–16, 1916–18
rank= Gunnery Sergeant
commands=
unit=
battles= World War I *Third Battle of the Aisne *Battle of Belleau Wood
awards= Medal of Honor Croix de Guerre
laterwork=

Fred William Stockham (March 16, 1881, Detroit – June 22, 1918, France) was a United States Marine who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his self-sacrificial valor during the Battle of Belleau Wood in World War I.

Biography

Stockham was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 16, 1881. 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. Four 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, Calif. 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 by an Act of Congress.

Gy. Sgt. Stockham died in France on June 22, 1918. Thanks to the efforts of his former comrades, one of whom undoubtedly was the man whose life his gas mask saved, Gy. Sgt. Stockham was belatedly and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by an Act of Congress on December 21, 1939, over 20 years after his sacrifice.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Gunnery Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, 96th Company, 2d Battalion, 6th Regiment. Place and date: In Bois-de-Belleau, France, 13-June 14, 1918. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Birth: Detroit, Mich. G.O. NO.:--.

Citation::During an intense enemy bombardment with high explosive and gas shells which wounded or killed many members of the company, G/Sgt. 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.

Namesakes

In 1943, the destroyer USS "Stockham" (DD-683) was named for Gy. Sgt. Fred W. Stockham, USMC. In 2001, the container & roll-on/roll-off ship USNS "Soderman" (T-AKR-299) was renamed USNS "GYSGT Fred W. Stockham" (T-AK-3017). As of 2008, she is still in service. [cite web
url= http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/13/133017.htm
title= T-AKR-299 "Soderman" / T-AK-3017 "GYSGT Fred W. Stockham"
last= Priolo | first= Gary P.
date= November 16, 2007 | work= Service Ship Photo Archive | publisher= NavSource Online
accessdate= 2008-06-06 ]

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War I

References

:Marine Corps
*cite web|accessdate=2006-03-20
url=http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/HD/Historical/Whos_Who/Stockham_FW.htm
archiveurl=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Stockham_FW.htm
archivedate=2008-01-24
title=Gunnery Sergeant Fred W. Stockham, USMC
work=Who's Who in Marine Corps History
publisher=History Division, United States Marine Corps
*cite web|accessdate=2006-05-10
url=http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/s18/stockham.htm
title= "Stockham"
work= Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
publisher=Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy
*cite web
url= http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/ships.asp?ship=160&type=ContainerRollonRolloffShip
title= USNS "GYSGT Fred W. Stockham" (T-AK 3017)
date= October 27, 2006 | work= Container & Roll-on/Roll-off Ship
publisher= Military Sealift Command, U.S. Navy
accessdate= 2008-06-06