Terry Teruo Kawamura

He covered an explosive charge to shield his nearby comrades

Born in Wahiawa, Hawaii, in 1949, Terry Teruo Kawamura attended Leilehua High School, living with his grandparents during his final school years. After graduation he worked in the pineapple fields before volunteering for the Army. He trained at Fort Ord and became a heavy construction equipment operator. He reached Vietnam in the second half of 1968 and served with the 173rd Engineer Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade.

On 20 March 1969 at Camp Radcliff, an enemy demolition team attacked the soldiers’ quarters. After an explosion stunned the occupants, he saw another charge thrown into the room. He warned his comrades and covered it with his body, saving others at the cost of his life. The corporal received the Medal of Honor posthumously in 1971.

Medal of Honor citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Corporal. 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, Corporal. Kawamura ran for his weapon. At that moment, a violent explosion tore a hole in the roof and stunned the occupants of the room. Corporal. 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, Corporal. Kawamura unhesitatingly wheeled around and threw himself on the charge. In completely disregarding his safety, Corporal. Kawamura prevented serious injury or death to several members of his unit. The extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by Corporal. Kawamura are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.