Terry Teruo Kawamura

Terry Teruo Kawamura

Head and shoulders of a young man wearing a peaked cap, black thick-rimmed glasses, and a military jacket with a round pin on each lapel over a shirt and tie

Corporal Terry Kawamura
Born (1949-12-10)December 10, 1949
Wahiawā, Hawai'i
Died March 20, 1969(1969-03-20) (aged 19)
Camp Radcliff, Bình Định Province, Republic of Vietnam
Place of burial Mililani Memorial Park, Mililani Town, Hawaii
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1968 - 1969
Rank Corporal
Unit 173rd Engineer Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade
Battles/wars Vietnam War
Awards

Terry Teruo Kawamura (Surname: Kawamura (河村), December 10, 1949 March 20, 1969) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Biography

Kawamura joined the Army from Oahu, Hawaii in 1968,[1] and by March 20, 1969, was serving as a Corporal in the 173rd Engineer Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade. On that day, at Camp Radcliff, Republic of Vietnam, Kawamura smothered an enemy-thrown explosive with his body, sacrificing his life to protect those around him.

Kawamura, aged 19 at his death, was buried in Mililani Memorial Park, Mililani Town, Hawaii.

Medal of Honor citation

Corporal Kawamura's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Cpl. Kawamura distinguished himself by heroic action while serving as a member of the 173d Engineer Company. An enemy demolition team infiltrated the unit quarters area and opened fire with automatic weapons. Disregarding the intense fire, Cpl. Kawamura ran for his weapon. At that moment, a violent explosion tore a hole in the roof and stunned the occupants of the room. Cpl. Kawamura jumped to his feet, secured his weapon and, as he ran toward the door to return the enemy fire, he observed that another explosive charge had been thrown through the hole in the roof to the floor. He immediately realized that 2 stunned fellow soldiers were in great peril and shouted a warning. Although in a position to escape, Cpl. Kawamura unhesitatingly wheeled around and threw himself on the charge. In completely disregarding his safety, Cpl. Kawamura prevented serious injury or death to several members of his unit. The extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by Cpl. Kawamura are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

The gate facing east connecting Wheeler Army Airfield with Mililani is named in honor of CPL Kawamura.

See also

References

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