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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. |
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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. | |
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Kawamura, Terry Teruo
