Seymour W. Terry

Captain Seymour W. Terry MOH

Seymour W. Terry was born on 11 December 1918 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He joined the United States Army during the Second World War and served with the 382nd Infantry Regiment, 96th Infantry Division. After completing officer training, he held several duties, including platoon leader, munitions officer, motor transport officer, and intelligence staff officer, before taking command responsibilities in combat.

Terry saw action in the Pacific, including the Leyte campaign in the Philippines. In October 1944, he earned the Bronze Star Medal for rescuing a wounded soldier while under mortar fire.

During the Battle of Okinawa, Terry served with Company B, 382nd Infantry Regiment. On 11 May 1945, at Zebra Hill, his company’s advance was stopped by heavy Japanese fire from pillboxes, trenches, machine guns, grenades, and mortars. Terry repeatedly moved forward alone under intense fire, using satchel charges, white phosphorus grenades, rifle fire, and hand grenades to destroy enemy positions and inspire his men to continue the assault.

His actions broke the resistance that had halted the attack and enabled his unit to complete its mission. Soon afterward, while organizing his company against a possible counterattack, he was mortally wounded by an enemy mortar shell. He died of his wounds on 13 May 1945. He was 26 years old.

For his courage and leadership at Zebra Hill, Seymour W. Terry was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. He was also posthumously promoted to captain. He is buried at Roselawn Memorial Park in Little Rock, Arkansas.