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Congressional
Medal of Honor Citation:
MAJ William E. Adams distinguished himself on May 25, 1971,
when he volunteered to fly a lightly armed helicopter in an
attempt to evacuate three seriously wounded Soldiers from a
small fire base in Kontum Province in the Republic of
Vietnam, which was under attack by a large enemy force.
Adams, assigned to
A/227th Assault Helicopter Company, 52d Aviation Battalion,
1st Aviation Brigade, made the decision with full knowledge
that numerous anti-aircraft 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 Adam’s 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.
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.
Editor’s note: Vice President Gerald Ford presented Adam’s
posthumously awarded Medal of Honor to his family on Aug. 8,
1974. Adams is interned in Fort Logan National Cemetery in
Denver County, Colo.
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