Seymour W. Terry

Captain, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War II

Captain Seymour W. Terry (11 December 1918 - 13 May 1945) was a U.S. Army officer who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during World War II.

Seymour W. Terry was born on 11 December 1918 in Little Rock, AR. He 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.

On 11 May 1945, he was serving as a First Lieutenant in Company B, 382nd Infantry Regiment, 96th Infantry Division. In a fight for "Zebra Hill" that day, 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 heroism during the battle, he was promoted to Captain and awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, Company B, 382d Infantry, 96th Infantry Division.

Place and date: Zebra Hill, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 11 May 1945.

Citation: 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 1-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.

Death and Burial

Captain Seymour W. Terry died on 13 May 1945 from injuries incurred in action on 11 May. He is buried at Roselawn Memorial Park in his hometown of Little Rock, AR.