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Medal of Honor Monday: Fred Stockham

On this day in 1918, the World War I Battle of Belleau Wood continues. Gunnery Sergeant Fred Stockham was right in the thick of it, ultimately earning a Medal of Honor for his actions.

His heroism revolved around a unique feature of the Great War: poisonous gases.

Stockham was perhaps an unlikely hero. Orphaned when he was young, he was raised in foster care. Did his childhood leave him with an urge to rescue others? Or did he develop an urge to rush toward danger?

Maybe. He was first a fireman, then he enlisted in the Marine Corps.

He served for a time and was honorably discharged in July 1907. But it would seem that he couldn’t stay away from the Marines: He soon re-enlisted. By January 1918, he’d volunteered to serve in France and was headed overseas.

Belleau Wood was no picnic. Indeed, Marine lore has it that the Corps’ nickname Teufel Hunden (Devil Dogs) originated during this battle, which was fought in June 1918.

Iowa Anchor Chokes Up on Air as He Quits in Protest Over ‘Sanitized News’: ‘The Facts Matter’ | Video

“When it comes to this job, all I’ve ever wanted to do is report on the issues that really matter,” the Emmy Award-winning news anchor says

Stephanie Kaloi

June 21, 2026 @ 9:52 AM

Iowa KWQC morning anchor Dustin Nolan announced his departure from the station Friday in an emotional message that made clear he does not intend to remain in the news industry. Nolan told viewers he believes “that we as a local news station have to be more than trends or sanitized news” and added, “That’s why the facts matter and that’s why we do what we do here.”