Our recipient this week gained his award under different circumstances than usual. However, his sacrifice and courage were nothing less than brilliance in the darkness of war. May America always produce such men, and may we always remember them.
Make the most of your day!
RJL
Terry Teruo Kawamura
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, 173d Engineer Company, 173d Airborne Brigade
Place and date: Camp Radcliff, Republic of Vietnam, 20 March 1969.
Entered service at: Oahu, Hawaii.
Born: 10 December 1949, Wahiawa, Oahu, Hawaii.
Terry Teruo Kawamura
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.
