THE WALL OF FACES

I was also part of 2nd Platoon Delta Company 2nd Battalion 28th Infantry "Black Lions", which was part of the 1st Infantry Division. Everyone called him "Red" Adkins because of his flaming red hair. He was so young but wise beyond his years. He walked point and was very good at it. Unfortunately he wasn't walking point on 17 October 1967 and the lead element was decimated. Red Adkins died along side of Joe Crutcher and Fuqua and others from our platoon in Delta Company. They died trying to protect each other and that is what I have remembered for more than 45 years. I loved them all in 1967 when I first met them, and I love them still. May God Bless them and their loved ones forevermore. Black LIons!

Dear PFC Donald Wayne Adkins, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

In appreciation of you and your desire to fight for our country

Don is buried at Gretna Burial Park, Gretna VA.

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heros you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you, one of the gentle heros lost to the War in Vietnam:

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers