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Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Army CPL Terry Teruo Kawamura.
Congressional Medal of Honor
Episode 2905 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Army CPL Terry Teruo Kawamura. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia and the Grateful Nation Project.
Terry Kawamura grew up in Wahiawa, near the pineapple fields of O‘ahu, Hawaii. Born on December 10, 1949, Kawamura lived with his grandparents while attending Leilehua High School during his junior and senior years.
After graduating in 1967, Kawamura’s grandparents urged him to continue his education. But he told them he wanted to volunteer for the U.S. Army. George Iguchi, Kawamura‘s grandfather, told The Honolulu Advisor, “We didn’t like it very much, but he said he wanted to do something for his country. He said he would like to make his parents proud.”
Kawamura worked for a few months in the pineapple fields, then enlisted in the United States Army in September 1967. He was sent to Fort Ord in Monterey Bay, California, for basic training.
In March 1969, Army Corporal Terry Teruo Kawamura was serving in the Vietnam War as a combat engineer with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. One night, his unit came under surprise attack at a base near Camp Radcliff, in the central highlands. An enemy force breached the perimeter and threw explosives into the sleeping quarters where Kawamura and his fellow soldiers were resting.
Without hesitation, Kawamura saw one of the grenades land near a group of his comrades. Understanding the risk but committed to saving them, he shouted a warning before throwing himself onto the grenade, absorbing the explosion with his own body. Kawamura died instantly, but his actions shielded his fellow soldiers from harm. For his selflessness and extraordinary bravery, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Today, Kawamura’s heroism is remembered as a powerful example of sacrifice and dedication to his brothers-in-arms.
Listen to Episode 2905 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Army CPL Terry Teruo Kawamura.
