Seymour W. Terry

Infobox Military Person
name=Seymour W. Terry
born= birth date|1918|12|11
died= death date and age|1945|5|13|1918|12|11
placeofbirth=Little Rock, Arkansas
placeofdeath=Okinawa Island
placeofburial=


caption=
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch=United States Army
serviceyears=
rank=Captain
commands=
unit=382nd Infantry Regiment, 96th Infantry Division
battles=World War II Battle of Okinawa
awards=Medal of Honor
relations=
laterwork=

Seymour W. Terry (December 11 1918 – May 13 1945) was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

Biography

Terry joined the Army from his birth city of Little Rock, Arkansas, and by May 11 1945 was serving as a first lieutenant in Company B, 382nd Infantry Regiment, 96th Infantry Division. On that day, in a fight for "Zebra Hill" during the Battle of Okinawa, Terry repeatedly assaulted the Japanese forces alone, despite heavy enemy fire, and encouraged his fellow soldiers in their attack. He was severely wounded by a Japanese mortar, and died of his injuries two days later. For his actions during the battle, he was promoted to captain and, on March 6 1946, awarded the Medal of Honor.

Terry was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity from the fraternity's first chapter at the University of Alabama also known as the Alabama Mu Chapter.

Terry, aged 26 at his death, was buried at Roselawn Memorial Park in his hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas.

Medal of Honor citation

Captain Terry's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

1st Lt. Terry was leading an attack against heavily defended Zebra Hill when devastating fire from 5 pillboxes halted the advance. He braved the hail of bullets to secure satchel charges and white phosphorus grenades, and then ran 30 yards directly at the enemy with an ignited charge to the first stronghold, demolished it, and moved on to the other pillboxes, bombarding them with his grenades and calmly cutting down their defenders with rifle fire as they attempted to escape. When he had finished this job by sealing the 4 pillboxes with explosives, he had killed 20 Japanese and destroyed 3 machineguns. The advance was again held up by an intense grenade barrage which inflicted several casualties. Locating the source of enemy fire in trenches on the reverse slope of the hill, 1st Lt. Terry, burdened by 6 satchel charges launched a l-man assault. He wrecked the enemy's defenses by throwing explosives into their positions and himself accounted for 10 of the 20 hostile troops killed when his men overran the area. Pressing forward again toward a nearby ridge, his 2 assault platoons were stopped by slashing machinegun and mortar fire. He fearlessly ran across 100 yards of fire-swept terrain to join the support platoon and urge it on in a flanking maneuver. This thrust, too, was halted by stubborn resistance. 1st Lt. Terry began another 1-man drive, hurling grenades upon the strongly entrenched defenders until they fled in confusion, leaving 5 dead behind them. Inspired by this bold action, the support platoon charged the retreating enemy and annihilated them. Soon afterward, while organizing his company to repulse a possible counterattack, the gallant company commander was mortally wounded by the burst of an enemy mortar shell. By his indomitable fighting spirit, brilliant leadership, and unwavering courage in the face of tremendous odds, 1st Lt. Terry made possible the accomplishment of his unit's mission and set an example of heroism in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II

References

*findagrave|9826 Retrieved on 2007-10-04

*cite web
publisher = U.S. Army Center of Military History
title = Medal of Honor Recipients - World War II (T-Z)
work = Medal of Honor Citations
date = July 16 2007
url = http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/html/moh/wwII-t-z.html
accessdate = 2007-10-04

Persondata
NAME= Terry, Seymour W.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=