KAWAMURA, TERRY TERUO *
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, 173d Engineer Company, 173d Airborne Brigade, Republic of Vietnam
Place and date: Camp Radcliff, Republic of Vietnam, 20 March 1969
Entered service at: Oahu, Hawaii
Born: 10 December 1949, Wahiawa, Oahu, Hawaii
Citation:
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 falling message was received from Judith Kawamura on 10 January 2001:
Terry is not only of Japanese Ancestry as written. His Father is Chinese Hawaiian (1/4 Chinese & 3/4 Hawaiian). Also his Dad served 27 years, from 1945 thru 1972 retiring as MSG E-8 United States ARMY AND STILL SERVING.
Mahalo.
--- General / Personal ---
Last name: KAWAMURA
First name: TERRY TERUO
Home of Record (official): WAHIAWA
State (official): HI
Date of Birth: Saturday, December 10, 1949
Sex: Male
Race: Japanese
Marital Status: Single
--- Military ---
Branch: Army
Rank: CPL
Serial Number: 10127100
Component: Regular
Posthumous promotion as indicated
Pay grade: E3
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 62E2P
--- Action ---
Start of Tour: Wednesday, August 21, 1968
Date of Casualty: Thursday, March 20, 1969
Age at time of loss: 19
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Multiple fragmentation wounds (Ground casualty)
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Binh Dinh
The Wall: Panel 29W - Row 090