Terry T. Kawamura
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Terry Teruo Kawamura (December 10, 1949 – March 20, 1969) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War.


Vietnam War military service and death

Terry Kawamura joined the Army in Oahu, Hawaii in 1968, and by March 20, 1969, was serving as a Corporal in the 173rd Engineer Company,
173rd Airborne Brigade The 173rd Airborne Brigade ("Sky Soldiers") is an airborne infantry brigade combat team (IBCT) of the United States Army based in Vicenza, Italy. It is the United States European Command's conventional airborne strategic response force for Eu ...
. On that day, at
Camp Radcliff Camp Radcliff (also known as An Khê Army Airfield, An Khê Base or the Golf Course) is a former United States Army base in the An Khê District in central Vietnam. History 1965–67 Camp Radcliff was established in late August 1965 by the 70t ...
, Republic of Vietnam, Kawamura smothered an enemy-thrown explosive with his body, sacrificing his life to protect those around him. Terry Kawamura, aged 19 at his death, was buried in Mililani Memorial Park, Mililani, 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.


Awards and decorations

Throughout his military career, Kawamura has been awarded the following:


Legacy

The gate connecting Wheeler Army Airfield with Mililani is named in honor of Corporal Kawamura.


See also

*
List of Medal of Honor recipients The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their ...
* List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War *
Kawamura Kawamura ( or ) is a Japanese surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Aki Kawamura (), gravure idol and television idol * Hikaru Kawamura (), gravure idol * Sumiyoshi Kawamura (), Admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy * Kageaki Kawamu ...


References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Kawamura, Terry Teruo 1949 births 1969 deaths American military personnel killed in the Vietnam War United States Army Medal of Honor recipients People from Hawaii United States Army non-commissioned officers American military personnel of Japanese descent Vietnam War recipients of the Medal of Honor United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War