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Terry Teruo Kawamura facts for kids

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Terry Teruo Kawamura
Head and shoulders of a young man wearing a peaked cap, black thick-rimmed glasses, and a military jacket with a round pin on each lapel over a shirt and tie
Corporal Terry Kawamura
Born (1949-12-10)December 10, 1949
Wahiawā, Hawai'i
Died March 20, 1969(1969-03-20) (aged 19)
Camp Radcliff, Republic of Vietnam
Place of burial
Mililani Memorial Park, Mililani Town, Hawaii
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1968 - 1969
Rank Corporal
Unit 173rd Engineer Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade
Battles/wars Vietnam War
Awards
In this Japanese name, the family name is Kawamura.

Terry Teruo Kawamura (born December 10, 1949 – died March 20, 1969) was a brave soldier in the United States Army. He earned the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award a soldier can get in the U.S. military. He received this honor for his amazing courage during the Vietnam War.

Early Life

Terry Kawamura was born in Wahiawa, Hawaii on the island of Oahu. His grandparents had moved to Hawaii from Japan. Terry was a Sansei, which means he was the third generation of his family born in America.

A Brave Soldier

Terry Kawamura joined the Army from Oahu in 1968. By March 20, 1969, he was serving as a Corporal. He was part of the 173rd Engineer Company within the 173rd Airborne Brigade.

On that day, at Camp Radcliff in Republic of Vietnam, something very dangerous happened. An enemy threw an explosive device. Without thinking, Corporal Kawamura jumped on it. He used his own body to cover the blast. This brave act saved the lives of the soldiers around him. Sadly, he lost his own life.

Terry Kawamura was only 19 years old when he died. He was buried in Mililani Memorial Park in Mililani Town, Hawaii.

Honoring His Memory

Terry Kawamura is remembered for his heroism. A special gate, called the Kawamura Gate, is named after him. This gate connects Wheeler Army Airfield with the city of Mililani. It is a way to honor his sacrifice and bravery.

Related Pages

Cmoh army
Medal of Honor
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