WILLIAM E ADAMS
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HONORED ON PANEL 3W, LINE 54 OF THE WALL

WILLIAM EDWARD ADAMS

WALL NAME

WILLIAM E ADAMS

PANEL / LINE

3W/54

DATE OF BIRTH

06/16/1939

CASUALTY PROVINCE

KONTUM

DATE OF CASUALTY

05/25/1971

HOME OF RECORD

FT COLLINS

COUNTY OF RECORD

Larimer County

STATE

CO

BRANCH OF SERVICE

ARMY

RANK

MAJ

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Contact Details

REMEMBRANCES

LEFT FOR WILLIAM EDWARD ADAMS
POSTED ON 5.6.2013
POSTED BY: LTC Donald E. Long, US Army, Retired

Bill, my friend and fellow warrior

Bill and I were both assigned to the 176th Assault Helicopter Company in Ft. Benning, GA. The unit was formed there for deployment to Vietnam. Bill and I were selected to be on the 'packing and crating' detail. We were both Captains at the time and were part of a team charged with packing up everything to get the unit to Vietnam. Bill was as hard a worker as I had ever seen up to that point. The work caused us to have long days and no break even at Christmas time before we shipped over in Feb '67. He, his wife Sandra and I with my wife did manage to go out for a nice meal one evening before we deployed. Time didn't allow for more. When we arrived in Vietnam his work ethic continued. I was also impressed with his quiet and gentle manner of leadership. His abilities were such that even though he was an Artillery Officer he was picked to be our maintenance officer for a time to ensure we would be combat ready. Bill was always 'on the go' working hard and late into the day. He, like all of us, also flew combat assault missions on this, his first tour. Unfortunately, he and I were both eventually sent to other units and didn't see each other again. I was totally shocked to learn of his death but not surprised at all at the actions he took to save others. That was Bill. Due to his leadership abilities and his manner, we other officers had discussed the fact that we felt he would be a General some day. He was that kind of person and he is certainly missed. It appears his son is also that kind of person and I congratulate him on his career.

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POSTED ON 4.24.2013

Final Mission of U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 69-15704

SP4 John W. Littleton was crew chief on 67-17760 for CAPT Larry Dewey, member of the 92nd Aviation Company. SP4 Littleton survived the shoot down and crash of 67-17760 that killed CAPT Dewey and SP4 Lubbehusen, then escaped and evaded to Firebase 5 where he was rescued by MAJ William E. Adams in 69-15704. MAJ Adam’s helicopter was then shot down, killing all on board. Crew included co-pilot CAPT John D. Curran, crew chief SP4 Melvin Robinson, and gunner SP4 Dennis C Durand plus passenger SP4 Littleton. (From John Tucker, July 2000) Citation received by MAJ Adams (posthumously): ADAMS, WILLIAM E. RANK AND ORGANIZATION: Major, U.S. Army, A227th Assault Helicopter Company, 52d Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade. PLACE AND DATE: Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam, 25 May 1971. ENTERED SERVICE AT: Kansas City, Mo. Born: 16 June 1939, Casper, Wyo. 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 machineguns, 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. [Taken from vhpa.org]

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POSTED ON 11.17.2012

Photo

(Photo Credit: his son Col John D. Adams)



Rest in peace with the warriors.

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POSTED ON 11.17.2012

Never Forgotten

(Photo Credit: his son Col John D. Adams)



Rest in peace with the warriors.

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POSTED ON 5.25.2012
POSTED BY: Ed Cardon

Salute to a Hero

No words of mine can add to what has already been said about your actions for which you were awarded the Medal of Honor. Courage and Honor are never out of season. Your bravery will be told as long as warriors commemorate their heroes. May the Lord grant you and your family, the peace which we all hope to find when we are called to our Maker
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