THE WALL OF FACES

Read about you in the book, "Hill 488."

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Semper Fi, Marine

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The account of your final day is truly inspiring. Rest in eternal peace.

Lance Corporal John Terry Adams, Served with the 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

John Terry Adams

DATE OF BIRTH: 23-Jan-44

HOME OF RECORD:
Covington, Oklahoma

On the date that he earned the Navy Cross, John Adams was part of an 18-man reconnaissance patrol under Marine Gunnery Sergeant Jimmie E. Howard, that engaged in enemy in actions that earned Howard the Medal of Honor, and earned Adams and three of his comrades the Navy Cross. The remaining men were awarded Silver Stars netting the 18-man patrol a combined total of 1 Medal of Honor, 4 Navy Crosses, 13 Silver Stars, and 18 Purple Hearts--perhaps making them the Most Decorated squad-size unit in Marine Corps history.

Navy Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Lance Corporal
Battalion: 1st Force Reconnaissance Battalion
Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.) FMF
GENERAL ORDERS:
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal John Terry Adams (MCSN: 2033889), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with Company C, First Platoon, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in the Republic of Vietnam on 16 June 1966. Corporal Adams was a member of a reconnaissance team occupying an observation post on Hill 488, Quang Tin Province, deep in enemy controlled territory. During the early morning hours the platoon of eighteen men was subjected to an intense assault by an estimated North Vietnamese unit of battalion size. As the members of his team were withdrawing to a pre-designated defensive perimeter, Corporal Adams braved the withering small-arms fire and returned accurate rifle fire which momentarily slowed the enemy assault force and enabled his companions to reach the relative safety of the defensive position. Firing all his ammunition, Corporal Adams fearlessly charged directly into the assaulting horde and, using his rifle as a club, killed two of the enemy soldiers before he was struck down by automatic weapons fire. Severely wounded, he once again engaged an enemy soldier in hand-to-hand combat and, in a final effort, killed his foe. As a result of his courageous action and fighting spirit, his comrades were able to rally and withstand the onslaught of the numerically superior enemy. Corporal Adams upheld the finest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom.

DEAR LCPL. ADAMS,
THERE ARE SO MANY REMEMBRANCES FOR YOU. MY BROTHER-IN-LAW WAS ALSO LOST IN QUANG TRI.
THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE AND REST IN PEACE.

SEMPER FI.