United States of America
Headstone of Terry Teruo Kawamura
Headstone of Terry Teruo Kawamura
U.S. Army · United States United States

Terry Teruo Kawamura

Corporal
1949 – 1969
Corporal
Medal of Honor - Army
Purple HeartNational Defense Service MedalVietnam Service MedalRepublic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Wall · Panel 29W

CPL Terry Teruo Kawamura served the 173 AIRBORNE BDE. Terry served in the Vietnam War. Terry was 19 years old.

How He Died
Manner Combat Death
Cause Blast injury
Circumstance Killed in action
Place Binh Dinh
Keepsakes
Terry T Kawamura
Terry T Kawamura
Terry T Kawamura
Terry T Kawamura
Terry T Kawamura
Terry T Kawamura
Terry T Kawamura
Terry T Kawamura
Medal of Honor Recipient Terry T. Kawamura
Medal of Honor Recipient Terry T. Kawamura
Service Record
U.S. Army
62E2P: Heavy Construction Equipment Operator (Airborne Qual)
HEAVY CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATOR
BINH DINH
1969
Pay grade E03. DCAS record DCAS-VN-027287.
Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
20 March 1969 · Camp Radcliff, Republic of Vietnam · Corporal, U.S. Army, 173d Engineer Company, 173d Airborne Brigade, Republic of Vietnam.

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.

Awards & Decorations 5

For valor

Medal of Honor - Army posthumous March 20, 1969 · Camp Radcliff, Republic of Vietnam · Corporal, U.S. Army, 173d Engineer Company, 173d Airborne Brigade, Republic of Vietnam.
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.

For service and achievement

Purple Heart
Memorials
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Panel 29W · Line 90 cut as TERRY T KAWAMURA
In Our Keeping
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Record added August 7, 2026 neuraweb.nw
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Last updated September 20, 2026

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Shadow Box
Terry Teruo Kawamura
Corporal
U.S. Army
- 1969
173 AIRBORNE BDE
Corporal
Medal of Honor - Army
Purple Heart National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

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