William Edward Adams
Born June 16, 1939
From Larimer County, Colorado
Branch US Army
Rank Major
Specialty Helicopter Pilot, Aviation Unit Commander
Group 52nd Aviation Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division
Death May 25, 1971
Cause Hostile, Killed in Action
Incident location: Vietnam, Kontum province.
Awarded
★ Medal of Honor
★ Bronze Star
★ Distinguished Flying Cross
★ Purple Heart
William Edward Adams was born in Casper, Natrona County, Wyoming. He attended Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Lafayette county, Missouri, and graduated from Colorado State University in 1962.
He began his tour on July 6, 1970.
May 25, 1971, Adams, a major, volunteered to fly a lightly armed helicopter mission to rescue three wounded soldiers from a besieged firebase in Kontum Province, despite the clear weather which would provide the numerous enemy anti-aircraft around the location with clear visibility.
Despite fire from machine gun emplacements and rockets, Adams succeeded in landing at the firebase while supporting helicopter gunships 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.
Born June 16, 1939
From Larimer County, Colorado
Branch US Army
Rank Major
Specialty Helicopter Pilot, Aviation Unit Commander
Group 52nd Aviation Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division
Death May 25, 1971
Cause Hostile, Killed in Action
Incident location: Vietnam, Kontum province.
Awarded
★ Medal of Honor
★ Bronze Star
★ Distinguished Flying Cross
★ Purple Heart
William Edward Adams was born in Casper, Natrona County, Wyoming. He attended Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Lafayette county, Missouri, and graduated from Colorado State University in 1962.
He began his tour on July 6, 1970.
May 25, 1971, Adams, a major, volunteered to fly a lightly armed helicopter mission to rescue three wounded soldiers from a besieged firebase in Kontum Province, despite the clear weather which would provide the numerous enemy anti-aircraft around the location with clear visibility.
Despite fire from machine gun emplacements and rockets, Adams succeeded in landing at the firebase while supporting helicopter gunships 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.
William Edward Adams
Born June 16, 1939
From Larimer County, Colorado
Branch US Army
Rank Major
Specialty Helicopter Pilot, Aviation Unit Commander
Group 52nd Aviation Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division
Death May 25, 1971
Cause Hostile, Killed in Action
Incident location: Vietnam, Kontum province.
Awarded
★ Medal of Honor
★ Bronze Star
★ Distinguished Flying Cross
★ Purple Heart
William Edward Adams was born in Casper, Natrona County, Wyoming. He attended Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Lafayette county, Missouri, and graduated from Colorado State University in 1962.
He began his tour on July 6, 1970.
May 25, 1971, Adams, a major, volunteered to fly a lightly armed helicopter mission to rescue three wounded soldiers from a besieged firebase in Kontum Province, despite the clear weather which would provide the numerous enemy anti-aircraft around the location with clear visibility.
Despite fire from machine gun emplacements and rockets, Adams succeeded in landing at the firebase while supporting helicopter gunships 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.
Born June 16, 1939
From Larimer County, Colorado
Branch US Army
Rank Major
Specialty Helicopter Pilot, Aviation Unit Commander
Group 52nd Aviation Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division
Death May 25, 1971
Cause Hostile, Killed in Action
Incident location: Vietnam, Kontum province.
Awarded
★ Medal of Honor
★ Bronze Star
★ Distinguished Flying Cross
★ Purple Heart
William Edward Adams was born in Casper, Natrona County, Wyoming. He attended Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Lafayette county, Missouri, and graduated from Colorado State University in 1962.
He began his tour on July 6, 1970.
May 25, 1971, Adams, a major, volunteered to fly a lightly armed helicopter mission to rescue three wounded soldiers from a besieged firebase in Kontum Province, despite the clear weather which would provide the numerous enemy anti-aircraft around the location with clear visibility.
Despite fire from machine gun emplacements and rockets, Adams succeeded in landing at the firebase while supporting helicopter gunships 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.
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