Medal of Honor: Terry Teruo Kawamura – U.S. Army – Vietnam War

Name: Terry Teruo Kawamura
Rank: Corporal
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: 173rd Engineer Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade
Place: Camp Radcliff, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Oahu, Hawaii
Born: 10 December 1949, Wahiawa, Oahu, Hawaii

Summary of Action

In the early hours of 20 March 1969, an enemy demolition team infiltrated the unit area at Camp Radcliff and launched a sudden, violent attack with automatic weapons and explosives.

Caught in the chaos inside the barracks, Cpl. Terry T. Kawamura reacted instantly.

Disregarding the incoming fire, he moved to retrieve his weapon.

At that moment, an explosion tore through the roof, stunning those inside the building.

Regaining his footing, Kawamura armed himself and moved toward the door to engage the enemy.

Then he saw it.

Another explosive charge had been thrown through the hole in the roof and landed on the floor near two stunned soldiers who were unable to react.

He had time to escape.

Instead, he shouted a warning—and turned back.

Without hesitation, Kawamura threw himself onto the charge.

The explosion took his life, but shielded the men around him from certain death or severe injury.

Medal of Honor Citation

KAWAMURA, TERRY TERUO

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.