- William E. Adams
Infobox Military Person
name= William Edward Adams
born= Birth date|1939|6|16
died= Death date and age|1971|5|25|1939|6|16
placeofbirth=Casper, Wyoming
placeofdeath=Kontum ,Vietnam
placeofburial=
caption= Major William E. Adams
nickname=
allegiance=flagicon|United States United States of America
branch=
serviceyears=
rank= Major
commands=
unit= 52nd Aviation Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division
battles=Vietnam War
awards=William Edward Adams (
June 16 ,1939 –May 25 ,1971 ) was a Major in theUnited States Army who was killed inSouth Vietnam during theVietnam War . He received theMedal of Honor .Biography
Adams was born in
Casper, Wyoming . He attendedWentworth Military Academy inLexington, Missouri , and joined the U.S. Army inKansas City, Missouri with the serial number 521482167. He began his tour inVietnam on Monday,July 6 ,1970 . On25 May 1971 , Adams, a major, volunteered to fly a lightly armed helicopter mission to rescue three wounded soldiers from a besieged firebase inKontum Province, despite the clear weather which would provide the numerous enemy anti-aircraft around the location with clear visibility. Despite fire frommachine gun emplacements and rockets, Adams succeeded in landing at the firebase while supportinghelicopter gunship s attacked the enemy positions. After take off, however, the helicopter was hit by fire. Adams momentarily regained control and attempted to land, however the helicopter exploded in mid air and crashed. Adams, who was 31 at the time, was killed.He is buried at
Fort Logan National Cemetery inDenver, Colorado . His grave can be found in plot P O, Grave 3831.findagrave|19447. Retrieved on2007-10-23 ]Memorials
The Vietnam War Memorial on the campus of
Wentworth Military Academy is the same make and model helicopter that Adams was flying when he was killed. He is listed on theVietnam War Memorial on panel 03W, row 054.Medal of Honor citation
Citation::Maj. Adams distinguished himself on 25 May 1971 while serving as a helicopter pilot in Kontum Province in the Republic of Vietnam. On that date, Maj. Adams volunteered to fly a lightly armed helicopter in an attempt to evacuate 3 seriously wounded soldiers from a small fire base which was under attack by a large enemy force. He made the decision with full knowledge that numerous antiaircraft weapons were positioned around the base and that the clear weather would afford the enemy gunners unobstructed view of all routes into the base. As he approached the base, the enemy gunners opened fire with heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms. Undaunted by the fusillade, he continued his approach determined to accomplish the mission. Displaying tremendous courage under fire, he calmly directed the attacks of supporting gunships while maintaining absolute control of the helicopter he was flying. He landed the aircraft at the fire base despite the ever-increasing enemy fire and calmly waited until the wounded soldiers were placed on board. As his aircraft departed from the fire base, it was struck and seriously damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire and began descending. Flying with exceptional skill, he immediately regained control of the crippled aircraft and attempted a controlled landing. Despite his valiant efforts, the helicopter exploded, overturned, and plummeted to earth amid the hail of enemy fire. Maj. Adams' conspicuous gallantry, intrepidity, and humanitarian regard for his fellow man were in keeping with the most cherished traditions of the military service and reflected utmost credit on him and the U S. Army. [http://www.cmohs.org/recipients/wadams_citation.htm W. Adams' citation] , Congressional Medal of Honor Society]
ee also
*
List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam WarNotes
References
*cite web
url=http://www.mishalov.com/Adams.html
title=Medal of Honor — ADAMS, WILLIAM E.
publisher=Mishalov.com
*findagrave|19447. Retrieved on2007-10-23 Persondata
NAME= Adams, William E.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=
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